Real Histories
Long, long ago, among the descendants of the Shao Hao Jin clan, there was a man named Mei (昧). He was the teacher of Xuanming (玄冥) and had two sons named Yunge and Tai Tai (台骀). Tai Tai inherited his father's position, governed the basins of the Fen and Tao Rivers, built dams to control the floodwaters, and developed the Taiyuan region. Emperor Zhuan Xu greatly appreciated him and appointed him to oversee the Fen River basin. Later, his descendants developed into four countries: Shen, Si, Ru, and Huang. Shen Guo corresponds to present-day Ruanan Pingyu Shen Ting. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Shen Guo also participated in the vassal alliance! In the fourth year of Duke Ding's reign, the vassals gathered at Shaoling to attack the Chu State. Shen Guo did not go, so the Jin State dispatched the Cai State to attack Shen Guo, resulting in the downfall of Shen Guo and the capture of Shen Zijia, the ruler of Shen Guo.
Afterward, the people of Shen Guo adopted the country's name as their surname. Since then, the genealogy of the Shen clan has been lost. During the late Qin Dynasty, a man named Shen Cheng was summoned to serve as prime minister, but he did not go. In the early Han Dynasty, Shen Cheng's great-grandson, Shen Bao, was appointed Marquis of Zhuyi. Shen Bao's son, Shen Zun, moved from his hometown to Shouchun in Jiujiang and held the titles of Taifu to the King of Qi and Marquis of Fude. Shen Zun's son, Shen Da, served as a General of the Cavalry. Shen Da's son, Shen Qian, served as the Minister of Personnel Affairs. Shen Qian's son, Shen Hong, served as the Governor of Nanyang Province. Shen Hong's son, Shen Xu, served as the Governor of Henan. Shen Xu's son, Shen Fen, served as Deputy Minister of Justice. Shen Fen's son, Shen Ke, served as the Chief Architect. Shen Ke's son, Shen Qian, served as Minister and Marquis of Guannei. Shen Qian's son, Shen Jing, served as Governor of Jiyin. Shen Jing's son, Shen Rong, also known as Wei Qing, served as an official in the province, and he convinced the notorious bandit Yin Liang to surrender. Emperor Guangwu of Han highly valued his contributions and appointed him Marquis of Haihun County, but he declined the offer.
So he moved to Yubuxiang in Wucheng County, Kuaiji, to seek refuge and settled there. In the first year of Han Shun Emperor, Kuaiji County was divided into Wu County, and they became residents of Wu County. In the fifth year of Han Ling Emperor, Wucheng and Yuhang were combined into Yong'an County; in the second year of Emperor Sun Hao, Wu County was divided into Wuxing County, and they became residents of Wuxing County. Although the names of the places changed, they never moved. After Emperor Wu of Jin conquered Wu, in the second year of Taikang, Yong'an County was renamed Wukang County. Historical records indicate that my seventh-generation ancestor, Shen Yan, lived in Yuwu Village, Bolu, in Dongxiang, Wukang County. My father was an official in the capital. In the eleventh year of Yixi, the emperor granted our family a house in Yunxiang Lane, Jiankang.
Rong Zi Feng, styled Shengtong, was the governor of Lingling and also received auspicious items like Huanglong Zhicao. His second son, Rong Xu, styled Zhonggao, served as the magistrate of Anping County. The youngest son, Rong Jing, served as the magistrate of Hejian County, and his descendants include Rong Yan, Rong Qing, Rong Tanqing, and Rong Huaiwen. Rong Xu's son, Rong Luan, styled Jianguang, gained recognition at a young age and was recommended by the state as a talented person; he was appointed as an official historian by the state government. At that time, the Governor of Guangling, Lu Chou, was Rong Luan's uncle, and due to his reputation for righteousness and accomplishments during the Han Dynasty, he married his daughter to Rong Luan. Unfortunately, Rong Luan tragically passed away at just 23. His son, Rong Zhi, styled Boping, was also recommended by the state as a talented person and was well-respected, but he also passed away at the age of 28.
Rong Ziyi, courtesy name Zhongze, was known for his virtue from a young age. His elder brother Rong Yu was ten years old when their father passed away, when Rong Ziyi was just nine years old. During the mourning period, they were both deeply filial and mourned even more intensely than adults. Their maternal grandfather, Shen Xiaozhang, a renowned scholar at the end of the Han Dynasty, was deeply saddened to see them in such a state. He always comforted them, saying, "Both of you are intelligent individuals; you will surely become extraordinary figures in the future. Why be overly sorrowful and bring distress upon yourselves?" After the three-year mourning period, they became so emaciated that they were hardly recognizable, and thus, the brothers gained a reputation for their filial piety. Later, Rong Yu passed away early as well. Rong Ziyi studied diligently, was talented, and based his character on Confucian virtues. During the chaotic times with constant warfare and the decline of scholarly pursuits, few scholars were able to maintain their integrity. However, Rong Ziyi was sincere, profound, patient, and unwavering in his principles, never changing. He had noble character, was selective in his friendships, and was only friendly with Zuzi Zhongshan, Shushan, and his friend Lü Gongji from Wu County. Local officials frequently invited him to take up official positions, and the court also summoned him multiple times, but he always declined. Ultimately, he passed away quietly.
Rong Zixian, styled Yuanli, served as General of the Left, Xindu Commandant, and Dingyang Marquis during the Wu Kingdom period, showing exceptional talent and ambition. His son Rong Jiao, styled Zhonghuan, gained a reputation for his uprightness and served as Colonel of the Lüwu and Adjutant General, was granted the title of marquis, and also served as General Who Establishes Might and Xindu Administrator. During the reign of Sun Hao, Rong Jiao was a renowned military leader. After the fall of the Wu Kingdom, he was appointed as Yulin Administrator and Changsha Administrator, but he declined both positions. He died during the Taikang period. His son Rong Ling, styled Jinggao, was appointed as an aide by Prince Yue of Donghai, the Grand Tutor, and later served as military advisor when Emperor Yuan held the position of General Who Guards the East. When Xu Fu rebelled and killed the Wu Xing Administrator Yuan Xiu, Rong Ling suppressed the rebellion. His son Rong Yan, styled Sichang, served as Anxi military advisor under Huan Wen and Yinchuan Administrator. His son Rong He, styled Zining, served as Nan Middle General Adjutant under Huan Chong and died from illness while besieging Yuan Zhen in Shouyang.
Shen Zijing, styled Shiming, was known for his kindness, ambition, and expertise in the "Zuo Zhuan" text. Coming from a wealthy family, he managed thousands of assets and served as County Registrar. Later, General Xie An appointed him as military advisor and held him in great esteem. Zijing was a well-respected gentleman in the southeast region, but he had no desire for officialdom. When Xie An fell ill and wanted to retire, Zijing also requested to resign. Xie An earnestly persuaded him, saying, "You govern the realm with righteousness, which is why you are respected. I no longer see a purpose in serving the court and just want to live peacefully." He returned home and found contentment in his family's wealth.
Later, Former General and Inspector of Qing and Yanzhou, Wang Gong, stationed at Jingkou, was an old friend of Zijing and invited him to serve as military advisor again. He even wrote a heartfelt letter, but Zijing initially declined and soon resigned from his official position.
Shen Zimu, courtesy name Yanhe, was fond of learning from a young age and was also proficient in the "Zuo Zhuan." Wang Gong appointed him as the chief clerk of the front army and wrote to Zijing, saying, "Since you persist in not wanting to be an official and prefer to live in seclusion in the southeast, that's why I've reluctantly appointed your son to work with me, not to use an official position to constrain him." Earlier, a man from Qiantang, Du Zigong, was knowledgeable in supernatural arts. The prominent families of the east and the dignitaries of the capital all regarded him as their teacher and respected him greatly. Zijing's family had practiced Taoism for several generations, and he also respected Du Zigong very much. After Du Zigong's death, his disciple Sun Tai and his disciple En inherited his Taoist tradition, and Zijing continued to follow them in learning.
In the third year of Long'an, En rebelled in Kuaiji, declared himself the General of Conquest in the East, and various places in Jiangnan responded to him. At that time, Zimu was in Kuaiji, where En appointed him as the front army general, Zhenwu general, and magistrate of Yuyao County. On December 28 of the same year, En was defeated by Liu Laozhi, and General Gaosu captured Zimu in Shanyin. Also captured were the false Wu County Prefect Lu Gui and the Wu Xing County Prefect Qiu Wei, all of whom were killed. Their heads were packed in boxes and sent to the capital, as noted in the "Long'an Stories." Prior to this, Zijing's relative Shen Yu had always been idle, much to Zijing's disdain. When Zijing learned that Zimu was involved in the rebellion and was considering fleeing to avoid trouble, Shen Yu reported them to the officials. As a result, Zijing, Zimu, and his brothers Zhongfu, Renfu, Yufu, and Peifu were all executed; only Zimu's sons—Yuanzi, Yunzi, Tianzi, Linzi, and Qianzi—managed to escape unharmed.
Yuan Zi, whose courtesy name was Jingshen, had aspirations and integrity from a young age. He followed the founding emperor to capture the capital and was granted the title of Marquis of Fanzhi County. He later held various positions, including Commander of the Garrison, Cavalry Commander, Assistant to the Daoist Regulations, Military Advisor for the Western Expedition, and Prefect of Ningshu. Alongside Liu Ji, he killed Cai Meng at Da Bu, and subsequently became a Military Advisor to the Grand Commandant, joining the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi. Ultimately, he fell in battle alongside Xu Kuizhi, at just thirty-five years old.
Yuanzi's son, Yuan Zhi, was a calm and experienced individual, with a dignified presence, handsome features, and graceful manners. He enjoyed studying the philosophy of Laozi. He was recruited by the state at a young age. The Grand Master of his family praised him, saying, "He is a rare talent in our family!" Later, he held the position of magistrate in the counties of Shinin, Wushang, and Lousan, and resigned to observe a period of mourning for his mother. After the mourning period, he served as a military officer under Wang Dan in the rear army. While Wang Dan was stationed at Kuaiji, he also participated in Eastern military affairs. In the thirtieth year of the Yuanjia era, the tyrannical emperor was assassinated, and the Jiangdong region was reorganized into Huizhou, with Wang Dan appointed as the governor. When Wang Dan was about to accept the appointment, Yuan Zhi said to Sima Gu Chen, "Such a calamity has never been seen since the dawn of time. Now, using the elite troops of Jiangdong to set an example for the world, like raising a flag, won't people from all directions respond? This way, we can rectify the court's injustices and showcase the loyalty of the ministers. How can we bow to these cruel rebels and allow Your Highness to accept their false kindness?" Gu Chen replied, "Jiangdong hasn't seen battle in a long time, and the soldiers are unaccustomed to military affairs. While loyalty and treachery may differ, strength and weakness are not the same. We should wait for a just cause to arise before responding; it won't be too late." Yuan Zhi responded, "If the world were to become a fatherless realm, then that might hold true. If the world is not like this, how can we bear hatred and shame with a clear conscience, and push the responsibility of justice onto others? Now, due to the heinous acts of regicide, we should not sink to their level. When we rise up, how can we expect to come through unscathed? Feng Yan once said that the prominent ministers of the Han Dynasty were not as esteemed as the common scholars of Jingzhou and Qi! Moreover, Your Highness carries the dual responsibility of a minister and a subject, truly considering the welfare of the country and its people!" Gu Chen and Yuan Zhi persuaded Wang Dan together, and Wang Dan was still undecided at that moment. At this time, the Xunyang rebels launched their uprising, and Emperor Song sent envoys. Wang Dan promoted Yuan Zhi to General of Ning Shuo, leading the army to take over from Liu Jizhi. Wang Dan was later appointed as the Grand General of the Cavalry, and Yuan Zhi became a military officer and was later promoted to Changshui Captain. In the first year of Xiaojian, he was transferred to Qingzhou Licheng to guard, and upon his arrival, he found the Linzi area to be vacant. So he was appointed as General of Ning Shuo and Prefect of Qibei Hai, taking on the significant responsibility of defending the entire Qi region. Before he could assume office, he passed away the following year at the age of forty-three. Yuan Zhi lived a life of luxury and passed away without leaving any wealth for his family.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Yuan Ziyun, and his son was named Yun Huan, with the courtesy name Shiwei. When Yun Huan was young, he became an Imperial Son-in-Law and Cavalry Commander, holding an important official position. Later, during the regicide incident, Yun Huan was also serving as a Zhong Shuzi (a junior official in charge of palace security), and was forced into the palace.
After the usurper declared himself emperor, he wanted Yun Huan to serve as the Yulin Guard, but Yun Huan firmly refused. He was then appointed as an Assistant Cavalry Official, sent to keep watch over the sons of King Yixuan of Nanqiao. This is documented in "The Chronicle of Yixuan." Afterwards, he successively served as a military officer in the Prime Minister's office, an Assistant Cavalry Official, and the magistrate of Nanchang, achieving remarkable political success and a good reputation.
Later, he was transferred to serve as a military officer in the household of Prince Jinping. While his colleagues were busy flattering their way up, Yun Huan stayed true to his principles. Shortly after, his colleagues, including Zhou Jingzu, were dismissed by the emperor, but Yun Huan was promoted to the role of advisory military officer.
In the era of Emperor Feidi Yuanhui, Yun Huan was appointed as the General of Ningyuan and the Inspector of Jiaozhou. Unfortunately, before he could assume his new role, he fell ill and died at the age of forty-five.
Tianzi, with the courtesy name Jingguang, was from Yunyang County. He fought alongside the founding emperor, captured the capital, restored peace to the region, and participated in military campaigns, and was eventually granted the title of the Fifth Marquis of Yingdao County.
In the fifth year of the Yixi era, Gaozu launched a northern expedition against the Xianbei tribe. Tian Zi led the vanguard alongside General Long Xiang, Meng Longfu, charging into the fray. Murong Chao established a defensive position in Linqu to block the advance of the army. As a result, Meng Longfu fell in battle, but Tian Zi fought valiantly and defeated Murong Chao. Later, Lu Xun moved closer to the capital, so Gaozu sent Tian Zi and General Sun Jigao to mount a surprise naval attack on Guangzhou. Tian Zi was promoted to General of Zhenwu. Lu Xun's subordinate, Xu Daofu, returned to fortify Shixing, and Tian Zi, along with General Liu Fan, attacked them. Lu Xun later returned to besiege Sun Jigao in Guangzhou, and Tian Zi, concerned for Sun Jigao's safety, told Liu Fan, "Although Guangzhou is strong, it was originally a stronghold of bandits. Now that Lu Xun has returned to besiege it, there could be traitors inside. Moreover, Sun Jigao's forces are thin and won't last long. If we let the bandits take this place back, their power will grow again. Sun Jigao and I have gone through hardships together, risking our lives to cross the sea and pacify Guangzhou. How can we stand by and watch him in danger without going to his aid?" So he led his troops south, arriving just as Lu Xun had regrouped his scattered soldiers and surrounded Guangzhou. Sun Jigao, holding out alone in a desperate situation, was thrilled to hear that Tian Zi had arrived. Tian Zi positioned his troops along the river, personally leading them into battle, defeating Lu Xun's army. He then pursued Lu Xun and defeated him in Cangwu, Yulin, and Ningpu. Upon returning to Guangzhou, Sun Jigao fell gravely ill and passed away.
After the war, mountain bandits rose up, attacking cities and killing officials. Tian Zi responded by conducting punitive actions and quelled the rebellion within ten days. When the governor Chu Shengdu arrived, Tian Zi returned to the capital. The court appointed him as a military advisor, General of Zhenwu, Governor of Huailing, and granted him the title of Duke of Duxiang. He also participated in military campaigns with the crown prince's army, while retaining his positions as general and advisor. In the eighth year of Yixi, he participated in the campaign against Liu Yi. In the eleventh year of Yixi, he commanded a separate army in the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi, fighting alongside General Zhao Lunzhi, and also serving as a military advisor, General of Zhenwu, and Prefect of Fufeng. Twelve years ago, Emperor Gaozu launched a northern expedition. Tian Zi and the Prefect of Shunyang, Fu Hongzhi, each led a separate army through Wuguan and stationed at Qingni. Yao Hong wanted to personally defend against the army but was also concerned about Tian Zi attacking his rear, so he decided to deal with Tian Zi first before launching a full-scale attack to the east. Leading tens of thousands of infantry, he quickly arrived at Qingni. Tian Zi, with only a few hundred men, intended to create a diversion and planned to attack Yao Hong. Fu Hongzhi said, "They have many men while we have few; it's hard to take them on." Tian Zi said, "The key to winning in war is to outsmart the enemy, not just rely on numbers." Fu Hongzhi still insisted on his opinion, but Tian Zi said, "The difference in our strength compared to the enemy is significant, and the situation is not optimistic. If we allow the enemy to encircle us, morale will plummet, and it will be over. While they are not yet stable, attacking them will surely lead to victory; this is how we seize the initiative." So he alone led his soldiers to charge forward.
The enemy closed in around us, and Tian Zi comforted the soldiers, saying: "Everyone, you have left your hometown and family, left your ancestors' graves, and come to this perilous place of sword and shadow, isn't it for today? The chance to earn titles and glory is right before us!" He then ordered the abandonment of food supplies, the destruction of barracks, personally overseeing the soldiers, and launched a pincer attack from front and rear, relentless in their advance. The Jiangdong warriors, led by him, excelled in using short weapons, shouting as they charged into battle, causing the enemy to scatter like leaves in the wind, killing over ten thousand enemies and capturing Yao Hong's ceremonial equipment and chariots. Gaozu submitted a report to the court, saying: "The military expedition against the enemy, General Zhenwu, and the Governor of Fufeng, Shen Tianzi, led an elite force, attacking fiercely like lightning, leading from the front, fiercely brave, achieving victory against overwhelming odds, invincible in their advance, from morning till afternoon, killing thousands of enemy soldiers. Yao Hong discarded his armor and helmet, leaving his army behind and fleeing back to Baxi; Xianyang City lay in ruins, surrounded on all sides by our righteous forces, completely annihilating the remnants of the enemy, the tide of battle had turned." The emperor comforted Gaozu, saying: "The rebels occupied strategic positions, living in ease and luxury, we broke through the Hangu Pass, intending to suppress the rebels, all the troops worked diligently, enduring extreme weather. You personally took command of the army, striking fear into the enemy; your military prowess is commendable, breaking through the outer fortifications, occupying Xiaoshan and Shanzhou, opening Tongguan and Saiguan. Yao Hong had no way out, surrendered the city, the reinforcements from Lantian were defeated in Baxi, the enemy's corpses piled high like mountains, countless were captured, the rebel leader fled in panic, the Huarong army surrendered one after another; years of rebellion were about to be decisively crushed."
After the pacification of Chang'an City, Gaozu held a banquet in the Wenchang Hall and raised his cup to toast Tian Zi, saying, "The pacification of Xianyang is thanks to you!" He then appointed him as the magistrate of Xianyang and Shiping. Tian Zi humbly replied, "The pacification of Xianyang was due to the wise strategy of Your Majesty and the efforts of all the soldiers. What merit do I have?" He was later appointed as the Deputy Military Advisor of Anxi, General Longxiang, and magistrate of Shiping. When the Fofo invaded, Tian Zi and Anxi Sima Wang Zhen'e went to defend Beidi together. At first, Gaozu planned to return, but Tian Zi and Fu Hongzhi repeatedly advised him, saying that Wang Zhen'e's family was in Guanzhong and could not be trusted. Gaozu replied, "Leave you, civil and military officials, and ten thousand elite soldiers here. If he tries to cause trouble, it will be his own downfall. Say no more." When they marched to Beidi together, someone said that Wang Zhen'e wanted to kill all the people from the south, send Yizhen back to the south with several thousand people, and then rebel in Guanzhong. Tian Zi and Hongzhi discussed and forged an order from Gaozu to kill Wang Zhen'e, and they together defeated the Fofo, pacified Guanzhong, and then headed south to apologize. Tian Zi's kinsman Shen Jingren was brave and skilled in battle. Tian Zi discussed a plan to deal with Wang Zhen'e in Hongzhi's camp, allowing Jingren to kill Wang Zhen'e during a banquet and lead several dozen subordinates to join Yizhen. Chief Historian Wang Xiu killed Tian Zi outside the Chang'an granary gate. It was the fifteenth day of the first month in the fourteenth year of the Yixi era, and Tian Zi was thirty-six years old at the time. Tian Zi should have been rewarded for his achievements, but this incident led to the cancellation of the reward. Gaozu submitted a memorial to the throne, stating that Tian Zi died in a state of mental confusion and was not guilty of a serious crime. Tian Zi had no children, so his younger brother Lin Zi designated his second son, Liang, as his heir.
Zhuge Liang, style name Kongming, was renowned for his integrity, dedication to learning, and writing prowess. Before he even turned twenty, he was called to serve by the local government. At that time, the Governor of Kuaiji, Meng Yi, was involved in misconduct, which resulted in Meng Yi being dismissed after Zhuge Liang wrote a memorial accusing him. Later, he submitted a memorial discussing the natural disasters and was appointed as the Registrar of the Western Bureau. At that time, the Three Wu regions were hit by floods, soaring food prices, and rampant hunger. The Inspector of Pengcheng, Wang Yikang, ordered the development of a relief plan for the people. Zhuge Liang proposed: "In the eastern regions suffering from drought, the people are in distress, food prices are soaring, and the wealthy are hoarding. Orders should be issued to conceal the actual amount of grain in each region, allowing them to hold onto a year's worth of reserves, and forcing them to sell the rest of the grain at a unified price. This is a time-tested approach and a practical solution. Additionally, the Huai River region has had a good harvest this year, with an abundance of wheat already harvested and millet and rice nearly ripe. The taxes on these grains can be converted into cash, traded on the market, loaned to the starving people of the Three Wu regions, and organized to transport food by strong individuals to support the elderly and weak. Moreover, alcohol is more of a luxury than a necessity, so brewing and selling should be banned to cut down on unnecessary spending." His proposal was quickly accepted and put into action.
Later, Emperor Wu (Sima Zhao) went to Liyang, and Zhuge Liang participated in the military expedition. At that time, some people were caught digging graves, and nearby villagers were implicated and punished for not rescuing in time. Zhuge Liang believed: "Digging graves is only a theft, just violating the grave of the deceased, so it is not appropriate to punish with the same severity. Grave robbers are bound to act stealthily, while robbers will be loud. Therefore, it is easier to prevent fierce robbers, but preventing stealthy grave robbers is much harder. Moreover, graves in the wilderness are seldom visited and aren't places people frequent, so prevention and rescue cannot be the same as in villages. The effectiveness of preventive measures is fundamentally different from dealing with robbery cases, so the penalties for soldiers should be less severe. In addition, although the punishment standards have the same restrictions as soldiers, there are no distance limits. Graves aren’t confined by village boundaries, so punishment should be based on the distance from the grave. If the boundaries are not clear, then within a few steps and ten miles away, they should receive the same punishment. We can't just lift the prohibition against crimes by the people all at once, and the punishment for illegal acts should comply with the law. I believe that anyone who fails to report within a hundred steps of a grave should face a one-year sentence, and those beyond one hundred steps should no longer be punished."
Your Majesty, I report once again on the situation in the Western Palace. I found that some soldiers in the Western Palace are already eighty years old and still in service; some are only seven years old and have already been conscripted. The elderly and frail are physically weakened; the young and weak children have not fully developed physically, yet they are forced to work day and night, which is both unreasonable and ineffective. Court regulations dictate retirement at sixty and conscription starting at fifteen. If they don't meet the physical requirements, their workload should be reduced accordingly.
Your Majesty, you had previously ordered my brother to rectify the situation, but he was later transferred, and the order was not carried out at all! Now I report to you again about the situation in the Western Mansion. Currently, the construction of the city and its residence is in progress, with very tight project deadlines. I reiterate that the construction is starting from scratch, with such a large foundation and strict deadlines, without regard for the soldiers' exhaustion, trying to finish in a short time what should take several years. I see the soldiers starting work before dawn and working until late at night, overwhelmed by so many tasks that they cannot complete. Even on their days off, they face various restrictions, and in recent days, with the rain and heat, many soldiers have fallen ill and died, and many have even escaped. I believe that the Western Mansion is, after all, an internal territory, different from the border towns, and does not need to be managed so urgently. If their workload can be slightly reduced, and a better balance struck between lighter and heavier tasks, the soldiers will not be so hard-pressed and will be happier, and the final amount of work completed will not be much different. I’ve heard that those who lack responsibility won’t take care of their duties, just like a chef has his responsibilities, a body stays in its container. I know I’m just a minor official and shouldn’t overstep. However, I have received the grace of the emperor for generations and am loyal and devoted. I’m only speaking out of loyalty and concern.
Your Majesty, isn't my suggestion good? This has been a long-standing issue, and despite several orders for change, nothing has improved, which is unacceptable! Recently, I’ve sent Meng Xiu to deliver a decree, hoping that this time will be different. In the future, you can discreetly monitor their work and see if there’s any improvement. Later, Wang Jun of Shixing was appointed in Yangzhou, serving as the chief clerk and magistrate of Moling. He excels at cracking down on treachery and wrongdoing, and as long as he identifies a criminal, he will surely catch them. The founding emperor appreciates his talent and has appointed him to a court position in the capital.
Xiangyang is located on the border, and there has never been a prince stationed at a position of such importance before. In 452 AD, the Emperor sent him to be the General of the Frontier and the Governor of Yongzhou. The Emperor valued him greatly because Xiangyang is right next to Mount Xiao and Hangu Pass in the north, a strategically important location, and there are many nomadic tribes near Xiangyang, making it a border area. Therefore, the Emperor appointed him as the Prefect of Nanyang and also conferred upon him the title of General of Yangwu.
He intimidated the nomadic tribes on the border, and they obediently paid taxes and offered tributes. Only a few stubborn villages resisted, and he dealt with the resistance. He also sent officials to inspect various counties, ensuring the elderly, sick, and those unable to care for themselves were well looked after. He ensured that the elderly received food during festivals and holidays. During this time, Confucian ideals were thriving, and he established schools to educate students. He strictly prohibited the desecration of graves and illegal marriages.
There was an ancient stone dam in the county that had been abandoned for a long time. He submitted a memorial to the Emperor, who approved the repairs. His memorial stated: "To develop production, we must first teach the people to farm, cultivate good customs, promote agricultural production, and make the country prosperous and stable. The Luoyang area in the north is deserted, the city of Wancheng in the south is in ruins, nomadic tribes are causing chaos everywhere, the border is not peaceful, the distant beacon towers are under threat, and the areas near the border are frequently attacked. The fertile land is not being cultivated, important defense facilities are not being repaired, the common people are unable to farm peacefully, land distribution is unreasonable, resulting in famines and a continuous flow of refugees, which have persisted until now."
To let the influence of ritual and music penetrate deeply into people's hearts, and to strictly enforce laws to deter petty thieves, this is the right moment to tackle theft and boost agricultural production. Now is the perfect time to cultivate wasteland and pacify the border barbarians. I found an old stone weir in the county, with flat and fertile land; it is a good place, but it has been abandoned for a long time, losing its function. From my observations, I believe it should be restored.
When Wenweng was in office, he developed water conservancy, promoted production, comforted the people, expanded territories, and greatly benefited both Shu and the Han Dynasty. While I strive to emulate their political achievements, I still have many shortcomings, and I am worried that I have disappointed the emperor's expectations." He also repaired the Mapen Weir, which benefited the people.
After serving in Nanyang for four years, he was transferred to the position of Military Advisor under King Yixuan of Nanqiao. The court issued a decree saying, "Shaanxi needs talented people like you, so we appoint you to this position." Later, he followed Wang Dan to guard Xiangyang, served as the rear army, and concurrently served as the Yicheng Prefect. He was honest and clean as an official, deeply appreciated by Emperor Taizu, who rewarded him with numerous chariots, horses, clothes, and toys, amounting to a substantial total. Whenever valuable items were presented to the country on the border, the emperor would reward him with a portion. The emperor also rewarded him with two thousand books. In the year 457 AD, he passed away at the age of forty-seven. He left behind one hundred and eighty-nine articles including poems, fu, praises, eulogies, elegies, funeral orations, rain-seeking texts, yuefu, dirges, lianzhu, teachings, memorials, notes, tables, signs, and discussions.
Linzi, styled Jingshi, was the child of a landlord. He had a noble bearing from a young age, accompanying his father to Jingkou at a few years old. When Wang Gong saw him, he was amazed and remarked, "This child will be a great figure like Wang Zishi in the future!" Once when everyone went to see treasures, they all rushed to grab them; only Linzi walked straight ahead, showing no interest.
When he was thirteen years old, his family faced a terrible calamity. Despite fleeing everywhere, he cried day and night, unable to stop. His mother urged him, "You should endure the sadness, be strong. Why give up on yourself like this?" Linzi said, "My family has been harmed so miserably by our enemies; how can I even think about living a good life? I'm still alive today only because I haven’t had my revenge yet." His family was caught up in a rebellion, and his brothers were all sentenced to death. They escaped to the mountains to hide, constantly fearful of disaster. The powerful enemy, Shen Yu's family, was determined to destroy them.
During the day, Linzi and his brothers hid, and at night they came out to act. They sold their house and buried their father, grandparents, and uncles—a total of six people—in a simple and respectful funeral. By this time, the family's property had been spent. With many elderly and children, famine was raging in the east, and they had reached the point of even considering cannibalism. With officials and soldiers on their trail, and powerful enemies at home, they could only hide in the deep mountains.
At that time, Sun En attacked Kuaiji many times, and generals were sent one after another to suppress him. Liu Laozhi and Gao Suzhi allowed their soldiers to burn, kill, and plunder everywhere. Only Gaozu's army was known for its discipline and did not harm the people. Linzi then sought refuge with Gaozu, saying, "The rebels are wreaking havoc everywhere. My family has been forced into a corner; my father, ancestors, and uncles have all suffered misfortune. The old and the children in my family are left helpless. Today, seeing you fighting against the bad guys and honoring the good ones, you truly represent justice. I have brought my family's elderly and children to seek refuge with you, asking for your forgiveness." As he spoke, he started to cry, his voice breaking, and all the soldiers were touched.
The Emperor greatly admired him and said, "Since you are an enemy of the state and have powerful enemies in your hometown, it is best to come back to the capital with me so that you can be safe." So he sent a separate boat for them, and the Lin family relocated to Jingkou, where the Emperor even provided them with houses. Lin Zibo read extensively and studied diligently. Later, he followed the Emperor to conquer the capital and pacify various regions. At that time, he was only eighteen years old and seven feet five inches tall. Shen Yu, fearing retaliation from Lin Zibo, constantly donned armor and carried weapons.
When the time was right, Lin Zibo and his brother Tianzi returned home to seek vengeance. On the day of the summer solstice in May, Shen Yu was having a feast at home, with relatives filling the hall. The Lin brothers rushed in, cut off Shen Yu's head, and then killed all of Shen Yu's family, using Shen Yu's head as an offering at their father's and grandparents' graves. Afterwards, the local government appointed him as a military champion, but he did not accept it. Due to the misfortune of his family, Lin Zibo did not want to become an official. Despite the Emperor's persistent persuasion, he insisted for several years.
Later, the Emperor became the governor of Yangzhou and appointed Lin Zibo as an official, saying, "Why have you been refusing to become an official? I want the world to see your true potential!" Lin Zibo repeatedly declined, but finally had to accept the appointment and became the magistrate of Jianxi County, being granted the title of the fifth marquis of Zizhong County at the age of twenty-one.
In the year 409 AD, I followed the army to fight against the Xianbei, serving as a military advisor. The army fought the enemy at Linqu, and the enemy sent elite cavalry to attack us from behind. Lin Zibo led his elite soldiers, firing arrows with precision, and decisively defeated them. Murong Chao retreated to defend Guanggu City, and we, alongside Liu Jingxuan, launched an assault on the western side of Guanggu City. After capturing Guanggu City, Lu Xun launched a sudden attack.
Earlier, before Lu Xun attacked the city of Guanggu, he covertly sent envoys to contact Lin Zi and his uncle, in an attempt to win them over. Lin Zi immediately reported this development to Emperor Gaozu (Liu Yu), but his uncle chose not to report it; instead, he took it upon himself to mobilize Lin Zi in accordance with Lu Xun's wishes. His uncle was known for his bravery and resoluteness. Emperor Gaozu temporarily concealed this matter because Murong Chao had not yet been completely pacified. Upon their return to Guanggu, his uncle was executed. Emperor Gaozu remarked to Lin Zi, "During the Battle of Guandu, many from Runan and Yanzhou wavered in their loyalties, but only Li Tong firmly stood by Cao Cao's side. This mirrors our current situation!"
When Lu Xun's army arrived at Caizhou, the officials and nobles were eager to flee back to their hometowns. Only Lin Zi sought to relocate his family to the capital. Emperor Gaozu found this curious and inquired why. Lin Zi replied, "Geng Chun's entire family followed him to battle, and Li Dian's entire family lives in Wei. While my abilities may not match those of the ancients, I have indeed been greatly favored by the court." After hearing this, Emperor Gaozu praised him repeatedly.
Lin Zi commanded a portion of the army in battles around Shitoucheng (near Qingliangshan in modern Nanjing), defeating the enemy multiple times. On one occasion, after several battles yielded no progress, Lin Zi intentionally disseminated a message that all troops would gather at Baishiji (near Xiaoguan in modern Nanjing), while secretly laying an ambush on the southern bank. Therefore, as the main force set out for Baishiji, Lin Zi and Xu Chijiang remained behind to defend Chapu (along the Yangtze River in modern Nanjing).
Lin Zishi suggested, "This claim is too dubious; it might not be true; we should be careful." Gaozu (Liu Bang) said, "The terrain of Shitoucheng is dangerous, and the defense works of the Huai River are also very strong. Leaving you here should be enough to defend this position." After the main force left, the enemy indeed launched an attack, and Xu Chijiang went to meet them. Lin Zishi said, "The enemy claims to go to Baishiji, but they keep challenging us, making their intentions quite clear. The enemy is biding their time, and with less than two regiments, it's going to be tough for us to win. Now, holding this strategic position is enough for our own defense. If the enemy's plan fails, the main force will return soon. What’s there to worry about?" Xu Chijiang said, "Now the enemy has moved all their troops to Baishiji, leaving only the old, weak, sick, and disabled. Using elite troops to fight them, there's no way we can lose." So he charged out with a shout, and the enemy's ambush launched an attack together. Xu Chijiang's army was defeated, leaving the army to escape to the north bank; Lin Zishi led the army to regroup Xu Chijiang's scattered soldiers and then engaged in battle, defeating the enemy.
Xu Daofu sent out elite troops again, stretching several miles along the river. Lin Zishi advised him, "The enemy is lined up along the river, but only a small part is actually engaged in combat. Now we control the river crossing, cutting off their key points; even if they have elite forces stretching several miles, they dare not cross the river to attack east." So they cut off the river and engaged the enemy. After a long time, Zhu Lingshi's reinforcements arrived, and together with Lin Zishi, they surrounded the enemy, who then made a hasty retreat. When the main force returned from Baishiji, Xu Chijiang was executed as punishment, and Lin Zishi was given a role in the central army's military decision-making.
Lin Zi followed Liu Yi on expeditions and later participated in the military campaigns of the Grand Commandant. In the eleventh year of his reign, he also took part in the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi. Every time Emperor Gaozu went on an expedition, Lin Zi always led the charge and marched at the forefront. Even with tents available for rest, in the evening, Emperor Gaozu would order him to return to the inner quarters to rest.
Later, the rebel Guo Liang gathered his forces and occupied Wuling, forcing the Prefect of Wuling, Wang Zhen'e, to flee. Lin Zi led troops to attack Guo Liang, defeating him at Qili Jian, and brought back Wang Zhen'e. After restoring order in Wuling, he went to Shicheng to attack Lu Gui. Lu Gui abandoned his troops and fled to Xiangyang, but Lin Zi pursued him there. After capturing Xiangyang, Lin Zi was stationed to defend Jiangling.
In the twelfth year, Emperor Gaozu was appointed General Who Pacifies the North, and Lin Zi served as a military advisor to the Grand Commandant, taking part in the campaign to pacify the North. That winter, Emperor Gaozu campaigned against the Qiang tribes, and Lin Zi participated in the Western expedition, leading the forces of the Three Prefectures. He was promoted to General Who Upholds Martial Might and granted command to lead troops into battle, entering the Yellow River from Bianzhou.
At that time, Dong Shenhua, a defector from Xiangyi, led over a thousand volunteer soldiers. Emperor Gaozu wanted to appease these new defectors, so he appointed Dong Shenhua as a military advisor to the Grand Commandant and promoted him to General Who Exalts Martial Might, allowing him to lead troops into battle. Lin Zi led Dong Shenhua to attack Cangyuan, captured it, but Dong Shenhua returned directly to Xiangyi to claim his achievements. Lin Zi's army remained in Xiangyi, where he executed Dong Shenhua and reassured his troops.
At this time, the pretender General Jian Wei and the Governor of Hebei, Xue Bo, occupied Jie County. Upon Lin Zi's arrival, he quickly attacked Xue Bo, who abandoned his troops and fled to Guanzhong. Lin Zi seized his military provisions. The pretender Governor of Bingzhou, Yin Zhao, occupied Puban. Lin Zi and Champion General Tan Daoji launched an attack on Puban from Shancheng, while General Wang Zhen'e assaulted Tongguan. Yao Hong heard that the main army was coming and sent the pretender Duke of Dongping, Yao Shao, to contest Tongguan. Lin Zi said to Tan Daoji, "Puban's defenses are strong, with deep moats. A direct assault will lead to heavy casualties, and if we choose to defend, it will only prolong the situation. It is better to abandon Puban and return to support Tongguan. Moreover, Tongguan is of strategic importance, a 'key position,' and Wang Zhen'e is fighting alone, in a precarious situation with limited forces. If Yao Shao takes Tongguan, it will become challenging to manage. We should concentrate our forces to secure Tongguan before Yao Shao arrives. If the battle for Tongguan goes well, Yin Zhao will likely surrender without a fight." Tan Daoji accepted his suggestion.
Oh, when the army ventured deep into enemy territory, logistical supplies were extremely challenging, and the soldiers began to hesitate, losing their fighting spirit. Daoji suggested they cross the Yellow River to evade the enemy's advances or even abandon their supplies and return directly to Gaogu's side. Lin Ziba drew his sword and said, "Your Excellency, you are diligent in aiding the king, with high aspirations to bring peace to the realm. Xuzhou and Luoyang have already been pacified, and the Guanzhong region is nearly secured. Now, our success depends on the achievements of our vanguard! We have already achieved victory, success is just around the corner, but to abandon our hard-won progress while the main army is still behind us and the enemy remains strong, is there even a way to go back? I was ordered to lead the charge, and I vowed to fight to the last breath; today's affairs will be my responsibility! However, some may find the task too difficult, and some may feel grateful for the emperor's benevolence. If they retreat because of this, how can they face Your Excellency's banner?"
So, they ordered the blocking of wells and the burning of houses to demonstrate that there was no turning back, and led hundreds of men to charge directly towards the enemy in the northwest. The enemy's morale had plummeted, and Lin Ziba and his men seized the opportunity to pursue and fiercely fought a battle, leading to a decisive victory over the enemy, capturing over a thousand soldiers and a large amount of weapons and equipment. Many generals at the time defeated the enemy and claimed many enemy scalps, but Lin Ziba always reported the true state of affairs. Emperor Gaogu asked him why, and Lin Ziba replied, "Your Majesty, leading troops in battle means overcoming the odds, focusing on outsmarting the enemy rather than just fighting. How can one inflate battle successes and make false reports? Guoyuan was appreciated for reporting truthfully, while Weishang was punished for falsely reporting achievements. These are lessons learned from history." Emperor Gaogu said, "That's exactly what I hoped to see from you!"
At first, Yao Shao escaped back to Baoding City, leaving the pretender General Yao Luan and elite soldiers to guard the strategic location. Lin Zi led the soldiers to quietly attack at night, directly breaking through the city, mutilating Yao Luan, and killing all of his army. Emperor Gaozu praised him in a letter: "You have defeated the enemy many times; I am thrilled! Since you have defeated them repeatedly, I think they won't last much longer."
Yao Shao then sent General Yao Zan to station troops along the river to block the waterway. Before Yao Zan could build a fort, he was attacked by Lin Zi and repeatedly defeated. Yao Zan escaped with just a handful of cavalry, while the others were all defeated. Yao Shao once again sent General Yao Bozi, General An Luan, General Yao Moluo, and General Tang Xiaofang with thirty thousand troops stationed at Jiufen, taking advantage of the Yellow River's natural defenses to cut off our supplies and reinforcements. Emperor Gaozu believed that the Tongjin passage was of utmost importance; our forces and supplies were also tight, so he sent Lin Zi to compete for the river source. Lin Zi, along with General Yan Gang and Zhu Lingxiu, fully armed themselves and set out for battle, achieving great victories by killing General Yao Bozi, General Yao Moluo, and General Tang Xiaofang on the spot. They captured a large number of prisoners, decapitated heads, donkeys, horses, and weapons. Lin Zi returned over three thousand prisoners to Yao Shao to demonstrate the strength of our army. With sufficient troops and supplies, the morale of the troops soared as they marched westward.
Some remarked, "Yao Shao is fighting so far from his capital, his army is formidable!" Lin Zi explained to Emperor Gaozu, "Although Yao Shao has a formidable presence in the Guanzhong region, he lacks real strength. His foreign troops have suffered repeated defeats, and the signs of decline are already quite evident. We are just worried that he will die too soon, and we won't have the opportunity to completely eliminate him." Not long after, Yao Shao suddenly died, truly a form of divine retribution! Then Yao Zan took over the remaining matters, gathered the remnants of his defeated forces, and came to attack Lin Zi. Lin Zi led the army to meet them; before the two sides even clashed, Yao Zan's army fled in disarray, and Yao Zan escaped with only a small number of cavalry.
Because of the consecutive victories in battle, the soldiers, horses, and banners were all quite magnificent. Emperor Gaozu wrote to encourage Lin Zi and also sent silk, food, and wine.
When Liu Bang reached Wenxiang, Yao Hong gathered the local populace and stationed his troops at Yaoliu. At this time, Tian Zi approached from the north of Wuguan, stationed troops in Lantian, and Yao Hong personally led a large army to attack him. Liu Bang felt the forces were uneven and feared that he would not be able to win, so he sent Lin Zi to Qinling to assist. By the time Lin Zi arrived, Yao Hong had already suffered defeat, and the two brothers pursued him together, forcing Yao Hong to flee to Baxi. Tian Zi wanted to catch up and take Chang'an, but Lin Zi intervened, saying, "Taking Chang'an would be as easy as taking candy from a baby. If you capture the enemy's city again, you will be alone in pacifying a country, and such an achievement cannot go unrecognized." Tian Zi stopped at this point. Lin Zi continued to be involved in military affairs, maintaining his previous responsibilities.
Linzi's prestige is growing, and the Sanfu region is all shaken up. The powerful figures in the Guanzhong region are eagerly expressing their willingness to submit. The people from Xizhou, such as Li Yan, are also seeking to prove their loyalty. Sun Da, the Qiang people, and other ethnic minorities, as well as Yao Hong's relatives, are all flocking to Linzi. Liu Bang recognizes Linzi's exceptional skill in pacifying and winning over people's hearts, and has praised him multiple times in letters, instructing him to properly pacify those who surrender. After Chang'an was pacified, over a hundred thousand Qiang people fled to Longshan. Linzi pursued them to the Guawu River, fighting all the way to Huaili, capturing tens of thousands of captives.
As the army made its way back east, Linzi led the navy to meet them at Shimen. Upon returning to the region, Liu Bang held Linzi's talents in high regard and no longer sent him on expeditions. Therefore, since taking office, he has always been in charge of military affairs, rarely leaving the military camp unless the army needed to go to war. Later, Liu Bang's son Liu Bang was stationed in Jingzhou, discussing having Linzi and Xie Hui serve as his deputies. Liu Bang said, "I cannot lose both of these people at the same time. If Linzi leaves, Xie Hui should not be sent out." So Linzi was appointed as the Western Colonel, concurrently serving as the emerging prefect. Linzi approached issues comprehensively and thoughtfully, and whenever he made a suggestion, Liu Bang always praised him.
As the army returned to Pengcheng, Linzi said that the soldiers had been away at war for a long time and all wanted to go home. He then detailed the matter, saying, "A wise king must be cautious, respectful, and serious, not for the sake of showcasing military might, but to govern the country and pacify the people. More barriers should be set up and the palace guard should be strengthened." Liu Bang valued his opinion greatly. Not long after, Xie Yi rebelled, and Liu Bang sighed, "Linzi's foresight is truly remarkable!" Liu Bang's son was appointed as the General of the West, and Linzi was promoted along with him, being appointed as the General of Jiawei and the Prefect of Hedong. At that time, due to the invasion of the Xiongnu, Liu Bang wanted to personally lead the troops into battle again. Linzi strongly advised against it, and Liu Bang replied, "I will not personally lead the troops into battle again."
After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Lin Zi made great contributions in assisting him during the enthronement process. As a result, he was appointed as the Marquis of Hanshou County with a fief of six hundred households. Lin Zi declined, but the emperor insisted. Fu Liang wrote a letter to Lin Zi saying, "Rewards are given according to merit; this has always been the practice. The decision on rewards rests entirely with the emperor. The emperor values you so much because he sees you as outstanding and hopes you will contribute to the country. This is a matter of national importance, and it requires the efforts of ministers like you! Although you are modest, you cannot be selfish!" Therefore, Lin Zi was appointed as a military consultant in the prefecture, while he retained his titles as general and governor.
Soon after, the emperor summoned Lin Zi to temporarily work in the War Ministry, assisting the recording officer Wang Hua. The emperor knew that Lin Zi was honest and frugal, and had given him many rewards, but he had shared them all with relatives and friends, having no savings and neglecting his own well-being, even taking care of his relatives at home. After Lin Zi's mother passed away, he returned to his hometown for the funeral. The emperor personally sent people to offer condolences, and the envoys came in droves. After the funeral, the emperor issued a decree stating, "There are many important matters in the country now, and talents are needed both internally and externally. Shen Lin Zi, former Zhenxi consultant, Jianwei general, and Hedong governor, cannot be allowed to remain immersed in grief. Let him serve as Deputy General of the State!" Lin Zi firmly declined, but the emperor would not hear of it and even granted him a decree, allowing him not to attend court regularly, but whenever major issues arose, the emperor sought his counsel.
At that time, General Xie Hui was leading the court, and whenever Xie Hui fell ill, Lin Zi acted as his deputy. During Lin Zi's mourning period, he exhibited great filial piety, and the emperor sympathized with him greatly. Later, when Lin Zi fell ill, the emperor, recognizing Lin Zi's filial piety, sought to spare him the strain of grief, so he invited him to the palace, offering him comfort day and night, and ordered the ministers to visit him and console him. Lin Zi did not leave the palace until he had recovered. Later, when the emperor fell ill, he ordered Lin Zi to serve in the palace and take care of him, but as the emperor's health deteriorated, Lin Zi eventually returned home.
In the third year of Yongchu, Lin Zi passed away at the age of forty-six. The court ministers were aware of the emperor's high regard for Lin Zi, and fearing that revealing the truth might cause the emperor further sorrow, they would always say that Lin Zi was recovering at home when asked about his condition. Lin Zi was completely unaware of the emperor's passing. The court bestowed upon him a set of ceremonial artifacts, court attire, clothing, twenty thousand coins, and two hundred pieces of fabric. The emperor decreed: "The late Deputy General Shen Lin Zi, of noble character and remarkable achievements, passed away prematurely, and I feel profound sorrow. He shall be posthumously honored with the title of General Conquering the Barbarians." This was carried out in accordance with court traditions. In the twenty-fifth year of Yuanjia, he was posthumously named Huai Bo.
Lin Zi Jian, a man of integrity, remained detached from worldly affairs. His humble virtues were evident in his household. Even in the military, he did not discuss military matters. He wrote a total of 121 poems, essays, praises, three-line poems, maxims, ritual texts, yuefu poems, proclamations, letters, memorials, announcements, essays, and annotations of Laozi. Later, the emperor read his collected works and remarked, "If this man were in office, he should have succeeded Prime Minister Wang!" His son, Shen Shao, succeeded him in his title.
Shen Shao, styled Daohui, was very handsome and well-read, with extensive knowledge. He inherited his title, rising to the rank of General of the Imperial Guard and serving as a court official. The Emperor Taizu summoned him due to past favors. When Shen Shao went to pay his respects to the Emperor, he unexpectedly burst into tears, and the Emperor Taizu, also moved by the scene, couldn't help but shed tears. At that time, the position of General of Strong Crossbows had become vacant, so the Emperor issued an edict to the Minister of State, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng, asking, "Shen Shao is a good man, and I had a good relationship with his father Lin Zijian. Consider appointing him to this position." (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) Thus, Shen Shao was appointed as General of Strong Crossbows. Later, he was transferred to serve as the Prefect of Zhongli, where he did many good deeds, gaining the admiration of the people living along the Huai River. People from near and far flocked to him. Zhongli County previously lacked a market, but when Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was appointed as the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, he suggested to the Emperor to establish a market. (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) Yigong also suggested to the Emperor, "The Prefect of Xuyi, Liu Xianzhen, requested to resign. Shen Shao has shown remarkable achievements in his position, loved by the people. If he is appointed as the Prefect of Xuyi again, he will definitely become an outstanding official of the second rank." The Emperor declined, stating, "He requested a transfer just a year ago, and now you want to move him again. Such frequent transfers would be too unfair to him." (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) The Emperor also ordered the province to appoint Shen Shao's younger brother Shen Liang as an official. Shen Shao requested the Emperor's permission to appoint his cousin Shen Zheng as an official, as Shen Zheng had lost his father at a young age. The Emperor happily agreed. After six years of service in Zhongli County, Shen Shao returned to the court and became a Military Officer in the Right Army of Prince Yiji of Hengyang. Later, when Prince Jun of Shixing established the Rear Army Office, he also served as a Military Officer in the Rear Army Office. The position of Military Officer in the Middle Army at Anxi Prefecture in Jiangling had long been vacant, and he recommended Shen Shao for the position to the Emperor. The Emperor replied, "Talented individuals who fit the bill are rare. Although Shen Shao lacks military experience, he is reliable. He performed excellently as Prefect of Zhongli County and managed his work in the Rear Army Office efficiently. Perhaps we can consider sending him there." However, this ultimately did not materialize. (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) In the end, Shen Shao was appointed as a Palace Supervisor.
The emperor often visited his residence, sometimes even in the middle of the night. Shao Fang presented political matters, and the emperor immediately dismissed him. He repeatedly reported important political matters to the emperor, who valued his suggestions and held him in high regard, and was always by the emperor's side. Every time the emperor went out, he ordered Shao Fang to ride in the same carriage with him. Once, when the emperor was performing a sacrifice in the southern suburbs, he specifically ordered Shao Fang to also serve as a palace attendant, responsible for safeguarding the emperor's jade seal, replacing the actual official accompanying the emperor. At that time, Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang was appointed as Grand General, stationed at Yuzhang, and Shen Mo was appointed as a military advisor, in charge of city defense; Prince Luling Liu Shao was appointed as the Inspector of Jiangzhou, and the emperor appointed Shao Fang as a military advisor in the Southern Commandant's Office, overseeing the office's affairs. Before this appointment was finalized, Shen Mo died, and Shao Fang replaced Shen Mo as the military advisor of the Grand General's office, and was subsequently promoted to the title of Ning Shuo General. (This incident is recorded in Emperor Wen of Song's decree.) After Shao Fang took office in the south, the emperor entrusted him with important tasks, no longer replacing him, and still had him concurrently serve as a military advisor, managing city defense affairs. Later, Liu Yikang was deposed, and Shao Fang was appointed as the Southern Commandant's military advisor under Prince Luling Liu Shao, with his military position unchanged. Liu Yikang was relocated to Ancheng, and Shao Fang was appointed as the magistrate of Ancheng while retaining his original title. He was known in the county for his gentleness, honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness, and was deeply loved by the local people. There was a man named Wang Fu in the county, who was very knowledgeable and of high moral character, who was well-respected in the region. Shortly after Shao Fang took office, Wang Fu passed away. Shao Fang posthumously honored him with the title of Filial and Incorruptible, and penned an announcement: "Former Master of Studies Wang Fu, with upright conduct and profound knowledge, not seeking fame, devoted himself to learning and cultivation, and became more diligent as he grew older. He was about to be awarded an official position when he unfortunately passed away suddenly. He is posthumously awarded the title of Filial and Incorruptible, and special sacrifices are made in his honor. Remembering the noble intentions of the gentleman of Yanling." Shao Fang often comforted widows and elderly people, encouraged agricultural and sericulture development, and received rewards from the emperor on many occasions. When Shao Fang was ill, the emperor sent people to visit him multiple times, as well as imperial physicians with the best medicines, an array of precious treasures, gold and silver treasures, clothing, and fur coats, in a continuous stream. In the twenty-sixth year of the Yuanjia era, Shao Fang passed away at the age of forty-three. The emperor mourned deeply for him.
His son Shao Kan inherited the title, serving as a Cavalry Officer for Prince Liu Xiuyou of Shanyang and the Prefect of Nanpei County. After Shao Kan's passing, his son Shao Zheng inherited the title, but his title was revoked after the abdication of the Qi dynasty. Pu, styled Daozhen, was the youngest child in the Lin family. He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, unlike other children; he had a meticulous mind. The founding emperor heard about the remarkable son of the Lin family and wanted to meet him. Lin sent Pu to meet the emperor, who was struck by his eloquence and remarked, "This is no ordinary child!" By the age of ten, Pu had already demonstrated extraordinary intelligence, a passion for learning, impressive writing skills, and an exceptional memory. He was inquisitive about everything, and once he had seen or heard something, it was hard to deceive him. At home, he kept household affairs running smoothly and helped relatives and friends. At the age of twenty, the Prefect of Wuxing, Wang Shao, twice invited him to take a position, but he declined. Later, Zhang Shao became the county magistrate and offered him the position of chief clerk, then promoted him to be the Left Attendant of the Prince of Nanping. The founding emperor summoned him and entrusted him with the Wang family's affairs, emphasizing his abilities and advising him not to let integrity and honesty hold him back in the political arena.
In the seventeenth year of Yuanjia, Wang Jun, the King of Shixing, held Pu in high regard, appointing him as the chief scribe. At that time, Fan Ye from Shunyang was the chief historian responsible for the province's political affairs. Fan Ye was somewhat lazy, so Emperor Taizu summoned Pu and said, "The political affairs of Yangzhou are not easy to manage. Jun is young and has become the governor. He relies on you to understand everything and make careful decisions regarding rewards and punishments. Fan Ye is lazy and definitely has different opinions from Jun. I’m entrusting this matter to you; you need to keep a close watch on it for me. Although it seems that Fan Ye is in charge, in reality, it all depends on you." Given the emperor's high regard for Pu, he worked tirelessly. He would share his thoughts with the emperor discreetly and mediate before every decision was made. Fan Ye thought the emperor was observing in secret, acting very cautiously, unaware that everything was actually under Pu's control. Pu served in Yangzhou for eight years, governing it effectively, with the people expressing no complaints, and Pu making a significant contribution.
In 222 AD, Fan Ye was executed for his offenses. Although King Sima Jun of Shixing claimed to manage the political affairs himself, all the matters in the province were actually handled by Shen Pu. The emperor (Sima Yan) casually said to Wang Sima Jun, "Shen Pu is diligent and responsible, without any errors, filial and friendly at home, with a good reputation, outstanding talent, excellent writing skills, and a calm and modest personality. He does not seek fame or fortune; he is truly a rare talent. You can confidently entrust him with responsibilities, and it would be wise to communicate with him more." Wang Sima Jun already appreciated Shen Pu, but after hearing the emperor's words, he respected him even more.
Shen Pu once wrote a "Poem on the Old Palace," but he never finished it. King Shixing wrote a letter to him, saying, "You usually write articles quickly; I'd like to know how your writing is coming along." Shen Pu replied in a letter, explaining the reasons, with beautifully crafted prose. After King Shixing finished reading it, he replied again, saying, "You have been working on this for so long; I was just asking casually back then. I didn't expect your reply to be so long, with such elegant and fluent wording. It really makes me very pleased. I am very happy to have such outstanding talent to assist me, but I feel my own character doesn’t measure up to yours. I will write a few more words to express my admiration for you and also let Gu Mai and Kong Daocun know my intentions." (The original of this letter is still preserved.)
Later, when King Shixing was old, Shen Pu requested to resign from his official position. Although the emperor agreed, he was very unhappy. So, the emperor appointed Shen Pu as the chief agrarian officer of Shixing and soon transferred him to serve as the magistrate of Moling County.
It is said that the country was peaceful, the treasury was overflowing, and all regions were contributing to the court. However, the two counties surrounding the capital had a notorious reputation for being hard to govern. After Shen Pu took office, he governed with integrity and fairness, treating everything impartially. The corrupt officials began to think twice, and the unruly citizens started behaving more respectfully.
Previously, the young people in the neighborhoods, as well as the gamblers and drunkards, often got into fights over money, falsely accusing each other, and the lawsuits dragged on forever without resolution. Shen Pu, however, was well aware of these individuals and their schemes. He could always investigate the details of the matter, find evidence, infer the motives based on one person's testimony, and deduce the truth of the matter on the west side based on the situation on the east side. No one could slip past his watchful eye. Everyone respected him, feeling as if he were some kind of deity. Later, he resigned from his official position due to illness. Emperor Taizu personally sent someone to check on him, rewarding him with many gifts.
After Shen Pu resigned from his official position, Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty sent Shen Jun to take up a post in Nanxuzhou and specifically told Shen Pu, "Shen Jun is taking up an official position this time, so I’m counting on you to look after him." Then, Emperor Wen issued a decree to Shen Jun, saying, "Shen Pu has been a chief secretary for many years and has also served as a state minister. Although he has not served as an assistant, should he be appointed as a regular military officer this time? If so, let him also oversee the remaining positions; if not, let him serve as an assistant, responsible for military affairs in the main office; otherwise, it may not be in line with the selection system." (This passage is recorded in the edict of Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty.) Finally, Shen Pu was appointed as a regular assistant.
I was transferred to Xuanwei General and the Prefect of Xuyi. At that time, the imperial army was advancing north, and the Pengcheng and Bianliang areas were relatively safe. However, I believed that formidable enemies could appear, and the situation was unpredictable. Xuyi, situated by the Huai River, was a strategic location that military leaders had to defend. So I strengthened the city defenses, deepened the moat, collected wood and stones, stored food and salt, and prepared for long-term resistance. Many people disagreed, and even the imperial decree suggested I was going overboard.
Not long after, the enemy launched a full-scale invasion. Tuoba Tao led tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry, sweeping through six provinces. The people in the capital were in a panic, and the local generals and cities were scared and fleeing everywhere. Some people advised me to return to the capital, but I said, "If the enemy has a large army, they will not care about our small city at all, so there is no need to be afraid. If they truly decide to attack, we’ll be sitting ducks. Generals, have you ever seen tens of thousands of troops come together without being routed? The battles of Kunyang and Hefei serve as cautionary tales! Now is the perfect opportunity for us to serve the country and for you generals to earn your promotions and accolades!" Seeing my calm demeanor, the common people also began to feel at ease. We recruited 2,000 elite soldiers and capable commanders, and I said to the commanders, "That's enough; I doubt the enemy has that many troops."
After the enemy crossed the Huai River, generals Mao Xiazuo, Hu Chongzhi, Zang Chengzhi, and others were all defeated by the enemy; the entire army was decimated. Only the Assistant General Zang Zhi broke through the encirclement and brought over a thousand survivors to our city. Everyone advised me, saying, "If we don't fight, we won't be able to appease the soldiers; if the enemy attacks, the space in the city is limited, and too many people will cause chaos. Moreover, the enemy is strong and we are weak; everyone is aware of this. Although offense and defense are different, we also need to consider the actual strength of the enemy and ourselves. Knowing when to retreat is also a strategy of war. If our current forces can repel the enemy and protect the city, we won't be credited with the victory. We should avoid the enemy and return to the capital to prepare ships; otherwise, everyone crowded together will only lead to trouble. Isn't it better to just stay behind closed doors now?" I sighed and said, "No! If the enemy can't breach the city, we can protect everyone. As for the plan to prepare ships, it has long been abandoned. The enemy's brutality is unprecedented, killing civilians, as everyone can see. Even if we survive, it will only be as slaves driven to the north. Although they are a rabble, wouldn't they fear this? The so-called 'we're all in this together; the Hu and Yue people will not have different intentions'! Now, the more people we have, the faster we can retreat; the fewer we have, the slower it will be. I would rather concentrate our forces and gradually wear down the enemy's strength!" So I ordered the city gates to be opened and welcomed Zang Zhi's army. Zang Zhi saw the strong city defenses, the people's calm demeanor, the abundant food supplies, and weapons piled high; he was very happy, and everyone cheered.
The enemy arrived, attacking the city from all sides. Zang Zhi and I responded flexibly, defending against the enemy's attacks. After a month of defense, we eliminated most of the enemy forces, and Tuoba Tao had no choice but to flee. Some suggested we pursue them, but I replied, "Now we have few soldiers, and they are not the usual troops we train. Although we are more than capable of defense, we cannot guarantee victory in battle. If we prepare the ships and pretend to be ready to cross the river, we can accelerate their escape without actually crossing the river." Everyone thought my idea was good.
Zang Zhi handed over the position of defender of Puzhou City to Pu and retreated to the background. Pu was modest and attributed all the credit to Zang Zhi. Since he did not directly participate in defending the city, Zang Zhi was not promoted. Later, Emperor Taizu deeply appreciated Pu's contributions and sent envoys to reward him. Emperor Taizu also issued a decree stating, "The recent battles have been urgent, and the common people, especially the elderly and children, must have felt very afraid and anxious. Think about the situation when you defended the city; it truly wasn't easy! The people have gradually returned to their homes; I've sent people to deliver supplies; please arrange relief for them based on the actual situation!" Prince Jin of Shixing also wrote a letter to Pu, saying, "The brutal enemy has surrendered voluntarily, the leader of the enemy forces has been killed, and the enemy chief has also suffered heavy casualties. This is all thanks to divine protection, as well as the result of your loyalty and bravery in battle! When I was governing the border, due to my insufficient ability, the people were displaced and the land was barren. I feel deeply guilty; the responsibility is mine. I previously offered my resignation as an apology, but the emperor did not approve, so I'm writing this letter to express my gratitude!" Wang Sengda, the Prefect of Xuan City, also wrote to Pu, saying, "How are you now? I hope you're doing well in the city. Are the soldiers and horses safe? It's been a while since we last heard from each other; I am very worried and have been thinking about you all this time. During this period, the barbarians have been raiding everywhere; the border areas have been looted, the postal routes have been disrupted, making it impossible to send messages. Looking at the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, it feels like you're so far away. I heard that Jingyang, Yihua, and other places have also been invaded by the enemy, with refugees everywhere; the situation is dire; it hasn't been this serious in history. I know that you previously defended the city against the enemy; the soldiers trained day and night, ready for battle at any time, and the beacons on the towers were constantly lit, arrows were raining down, and the battles were very intense."
But you were able to unite the soldiers, boost morale, lead everyone bravely into battle, and the people followed you wholeheartedly. In the end, you successfully defended the fortress, defeated the enemy, turned peril into safety, and achieved victory. This is truly a feat that even the ancient Tian Dan and Sun Tzu cannot compare to! The passage to Shangyi has now been opened, and I have a rough understanding of what happened. I sincerely admire your courage and bravery; it's truly remarkable! Recently, due to the calming of the war, I requested retirement from the court and returned to the capital. Now that the barbarians have retreated and the border has returned to peace, I will continue with my former responsibilities. Seeing the border stabilized, I am also very happy, as this was my initial wish! However, because of the distance, we are unable to meet, which brings me great sorrow. I've been feeling unwell lately, confined to bed and filled with worry, so I am writing to express my thoughts of missing you.
After the expedition, Shen Pu was appointed as the Prefect of Huainan, and the court rewarded him generously, with the Emperor hosting banquets for him every night. Some court officials believed that Shen Pu had performed great deeds and should be properly rewarded. The Emperor said, "Zang Zhi is Shen Pu's relative, and his official position is higher than his. The credit for the achievements in Xuyi should primarily go to Zang Zhi. Shen Pu has always been modest and cautious, fearing that he would be rewarded first. He is truly a loyal and honest man, much like Shi Xie!" At that time, the position of the Gentleman of the Palace Library was vacant, and the Secretary-General He Shangzhi was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. He recommended Shen Pu, Xie Zhuang, and Lu Zhan to take on the role, but this proposal ultimately fell through. (This incident is recorded in the Imperial Edict of Emperor Wen. All the Imperial Edicts of Emperor Wen are now preserved in the Taige, just like legal texts and records.)
Thirty years later, a tragic incident of regicide and usurpation took place. Shen Pu wept bitterly and lamented, "Our whole family has received the special grace of the royal family, but now we have encountered such misfortune. Oh heavens, what’s going on?" He worried and sighed around the clock, to the point of falling seriously ill. Later, two killers pressured him to send the elderly and vulnerable back to the capital. Shen Pu was filial, and when he heard that his elders were imprisoned, he was overcome with emotion, and his health deteriorated, unable to personally welcome them. It was only when the Emperor's loyal army arrived at the border town that he was able to escape. Earlier, a man named Yan Jun from Langye sought to befriend Shen Pu, but Shen Pu did not respond to his kindness, which made Yan Jun resentful. When the Emperor was about to enter the capital, someone maliciously slandered Shen Pu, saying he welcomed the Emperor too late, resulting in Shen Pu suffering an undeserved fate. He was only thirty-eight years old at the time. His essays, poems, praises, elegies, seven-character poems, condolences, four or five-character poems, letters, and documents were all lost in the chaos of war, leaving behind only twenty poems and miscellaneous writings. Shen Pu had a son, whose name was... (original text missing).
Speaking of this person, he was called Boyu, with the style name Derun, a child from a family in Qianzhou. He was gentle, respectful, talented, and skilled in writing. In his youth, he was appointed as the Attendant of the Wuling Kingdom under Emperor Shizu (referring to Emperor Wu of Song), and later promoted to Right Regular Attendant and Army Officer of Nanzhong. Rising from a national official to a regional official, his exceptional writing skills caught the Emperor's attention, with many of his works included in Emperor Shizu's literary collection. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he appointed Boyu as an Attendant Cavalryman, but he chose not to take the position.
Later, General Zuo Wei recommended him to be his military advisor, but he did not go; instead, he was sent to serve as the county magistrate of Jurong, where he excelled and earned a strong reputation. After that, he was appointed as the military advisor to Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, and he proofread books alongside Xie Chaozong and He Fasheng at the Eastern Palace. He later served as the county magistrate of Yuyao for a time and ultimately became the Deputy Guard Commander. Most of the old officials and staff of the previous emperor enjoyed good relations and became wealthy, but Boyu has always held onto his small official position, not even bothering to greet the emperor during festivals. Figures like Yan Shibai and Dai Faxing had good relationships with the emperor, but Boyu never greeted him, so his official position has never been promoted. The emperor thought Boyu resembled the Confucius in the portrait and often called him "Kong Qiu." According to previous regulations, the Deputy Guard Commander was required to wear armor on duty. Zhang Yong said to Boyu, "This duty doesn’t seem to align with your ambitions!" Wang Jingwen was quite familiar with Boyu and once accompanied the emperor on an inspection tour, pointing at Boyu and telling the emperor, "Kong Qiu looks really special!" Upon hearing this, the emperor permitted Boyu to wear black civilian clothes while on duty. Later, Boyu was sent to Prince Zhixun of Jin'an, where he served as the military advisor for the vanguard, responsible for accompanying Prince Zhixun in his studies and following his movements, and ultimately became the Deputy Garrison Commander.
Once upon a time when the 废帝 was in power, Wang Jingwen was in charge of selecting officials. He said to Shen Guangzu, who was in charge of documents, "Deng Wan suddenly became the Chancellor. Shen Boyu had previously assisted the late emperor in the regional command, and now it is still the same. The lives of the common people will surely be difficult." When Dai Faxing heard what Wang Jingwen said, he transferred Shen Boyu to a military position. Shen Boyu was the magistrate in the household when Shen Zixun first raised an army. After Shen Zixun became emperor, Shen Boyu was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat. Earlier, Shen Boyu served as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and at that time, Taizong was the commander of the Guard; they had a very good working relationship. After Shen Zixun failed, Shen Boyu was incarcerated. Although he was later released, because everyone felt that he had not been loyal in the south, he was punished and demoted to the position of an imperial censor in Nantai, then transferred to be a registrar in the state of Wuling, and later transferred to the Great Agricultural Temple in charge of finance. He resigned from his position to care for his elderly mother.
He lived in extreme poverty and, when he could bear it no longer, he stayed at home, rarely going out except to visit relatives and friends. The Minister Yuan Can and the Minister Chu Yuan admired him and appointed him as the permanent county magistrate, and later transferred him to Yongxing, where he made notable contributions to governance. Later, in the third year of the 废帝 Yuanhui, he passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. Shen Boyu was known for his exceptional filial piety and devotion to his parents. He never coveted what belonged to others and always shared things with acquaintances. He was gentle and refined, had an admirable demeanor, was smooth in his dealings with others, was adept at discerning right from wrong, and could forge deep friendships with anyone he collaborated with.
His younger brother Shen Zhongyu, during the late years of the Taishi period, served as the Chief of Ningshuo and the Prefect of Shu County. After the death of the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Liang, Shen Zhongyu took over the affairs of the prefecture. When Li Chengming in Baxi rebelled, Shen Zhongyu sent Sima Wang Tiansheng to suppress the rebellion. The deposed emperor issued a decree appointing him as the Military Advisor of Prince Ancheng and promoted him to the rank of General of Jianwei. Shen Youzhi requested him to serve as the Advisor for the Western Expedition, but before he could take office, he died.
This historian became an orphan at the age of thirteen, and from a young age, he enjoyed studying. Though his studies sometimes yielded no results, he remained persistent. He often said that there was not a single complete history written during the Jin Dynasty. In his twenties, he had the idea of writing a historical book. In the early years of Taishi, General Cai Xingzong was crowned as Emperor Qiming, and the court ordered rewards for him. From then until now, over twenty years have passed, and he wrote a total of 120 volumes. Although the content was extensive, the collection lacked comprehensiveness. In the early years of Yongming, he was robbed and lost the fifth volume. Before the fourth year of Jianyuan ended, he was ordered to write the national history. In the second year of Yongming, he was appointed as the concurrently Assistant Literary Official, responsible for compiling the daily records. From then on, he was busy with official duties and had little time for additional writing. In the spring of the fifth year, he was ordered to write the "Book of Song." In February of the sixth year, he completed it, submitted it, stating:
Let me say this: I have heard of the story of Da Yu's water control engraved on wood, recorded in the "Book of Yu"; King Wen of Zhou's accomplishments in pacifying the Li tribe are also recorded in the "Book of Shang." Your Majesty, your foundation is solid, and your achievements are far-reaching, inheriting the divine mandate of previous dynasties and creating the merits of past generations. One cannot grasp the virtues of Empress Dowager without examining the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty; without looking at the aftermath of the Qin Dynasty's fall, one would not understand how Emperor Gaozu of Han unified the realm. Therefore, before I could record these events, I felt it necessary to report to Your Majesty first, and I specifically ordered the historians to search and organize relevant historical materials. My abilities are limited, and my understanding of historical classics is not extensive, so I am truly filled with fear. In order to respond to Your Majesty's decree, I have been worrying day and night, neglecting sleep and food.
I bow once more to seek Your Majesty's forgiveness: I privately believe that the Song Dynasty emperors faced south in court, inheriting the divine mandate. Although there were only eight emperors and the dynasty lasted less than a hundred years, the nation was plagued by constant wars and crises, resulting in a wealth of historical records and accounts. Wise monarchs who laid down foundations, and virtuous officials and generals who achieved great merits by saving the nation in peril, all these deeds are worthy of being inscribed on bells and cauldrons, and recorded in the annals of history. As for tyrannical emperors and incompetent dynasties, though few in number, they caused national turmoil and brought disaster to their families; such deeds have gone unrecorded throughout history and should serve as a cautionary tale for future generations. "I have heard that Da Yu carved wood, with his deeds shining brightly in the Book of Yu; the Western Duke subdued the Li tribe, with his achievements illuminated in the Book of Shang." "Regarding the wise rulers who laid the foundations and the virtuous officials who achieved great merits, their deeds in saving the world from adversity, in harmony with heavenly blessings, are equally worthy of being inscribed on bells and cauldrons, illuminating the strategies of the realm."
During the Song Dynasty, the scholar He Chengtian was the first to begin writing the "Book of Song," drafting biographies of important figures, but only wrote about the achievements of Emperor Wu's ministers, and it was incomplete. He only wrote the "Astronomy" and "Calendar" sections, and entrusted the remainder to the courtier Shan Qianzhi for completion. During the Xiaojian reign, Shan Qianzhi received an imperial decree to continue writing, but later fell ill and passed away. Therefore, the courtier Su Baosheng was tasked with continuing the biographies of famous officials from the Yuanjia period. Later, Su Baosheng was assassinated, and in the Daming period, the court ordered Xu Yuan to finish the earlier works. Xu Yuan compiled these materials into a historical account based on the works of He Chengtian and Su Baosheng, starting from the Yixi period to the end of the Song Daming period. As for the biographies of figures like Zang Zhi, Lu Shuang, and Wang Sengda, they were authored by Emperor Xiaowu. Events from the Yongguang period to the abdication were left unrecorded for over a decade, and the beginning and end of a dynasty's classics were not complete. Many recorded events from that time were not accurate, and the criteria for including and excluding biographies were inconsistent, sometimes catering to the current intentions and sometimes considering secular views. This makes it hard for later generations to accept. For caution, I have begun rewriting and have completed this new historical account, starting from the Yixi period to the third year of Shengming. Huan Xuan, Qiao Zong, Lu Xun, Ma, Lu, and others were all insurgents from the Jin Dynasty and have no relation to the later Song Dynasty. Wu Yin, Xie Hun, and Chi Sengshi, their deeds belong to the previous dynasty and should not be included in the history of the Song Dynasty. Liu Yi, He Wuji, Wei Yongzhi, Tan Daoji, Meng Chang, and Zhuge Changmin were all determined to restore the Jin Dynasty and have no relation to establishing the Song Dynasty. I have excluded them, and their actions are now recorded in the history of the Jin Dynasty.
I am nowhere near the renowned ministers of the Southern Dynasties, and I fall short compared to Qian and Gu today. I am merely an ordinary commoner, with my limited abilities to document the grand events of a dynasty, writing accounts and recounting events. I feel deeply ashamed in comparison to ancient historians. I am trembling with trepidation and feel utterly ashamed. The official history and biographies have been completed, comprising seventy volumes, and I now respectfully submit them to you. The remaining records still need to be finalized, and then I will compile the table of contents and personally come to report to you. I am genuinely trembling with fear and bowing my head! I am truly deserving of death!
Xiongshao Yuan is the eldest son of Emperor Wen. Shao was born after Emperor Wen ascended the throne. At that time, the emperor was still in a relatively low-profile position, so this matter was kept hidden. It wasn't until the third intercalary month of the third year that Shao's birth was officially announced. From the past to the present, there has never been a case of an empress giving birth to a crown prince after her husband ascended the throne. The only exception was Emperor Yi of the Yin Dynasty, whose queen gave birth to King Zhou after his ascension, and now there is Shao. Shao grew up to be quite handsome, and Emperor Wen was very pleased.
At the age of six, he was appointed as the Crown Prince, with the Chief Eunuch leading the guards in Yongfu Province. A palace was specially built for him, grand and beautifully decorated. At the age of twelve, he moved to the Eastern Palace and married the daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Court, Yin Chun, as his Crown Princess. At the age of thirteen, he held his coming-of-age ceremony. He enjoyed reading historical books, especially excelling in archery. When he grew up, he was strikingly handsome, with large eyes, a square jaw, and stood seven feet four inches tall. He personally handled palace affairs, received guests, and the emperor would always grant his wishes. The Eastern Palace was also equipped with an army, similar to the Imperial Guard. In the seventeenth year, Shao was appointed as the King of Jingling, and the Grand General, King Yikang of Pengcheng, King Dan of Jingling, and the Marquis of Guiyang, Yi Rong, all followed him, while the Minister of State, King Yigong of Jiangxia, also rushed from Jiangdu to meet at Jingkou.
In the twenty-seventh year, the emperor wanted to launch a northern expedition. Shao and Xiao Sihua strongly advised against it, but the emperor did not listen. The Northern Wei army reached Guabu, and the capital was thrown into panic. Shao was sent to guard Shitou City and command the navy. He was highly skilled in both pacifying and commanding troops. When the emperor arrived at Shitou City, his face was worried, and Shao said, "Without killing Jiang Zhan and Xu Zhan, it wouldn't be sufficient to justify to the people." The emperor said, "The northern expedition is my decision, and it has nothing to do with either of them."
The emperor at that time focused all his attention on agricultural production, promoting farming and sericulture. Even the people in the palace raised silkworms, hoping to inspire the common people. There was a witch named Yan Daoyu, from Wuxing, who claimed to have spiritual abilities and could command spirits. Her husband committed a crime and had his property confiscated to serve as a slave to the government. Princess Dongyang, the sister of Prince Shao, heard from her palace maid Wang Parrot that "Yan Daoyu is spiritual and has extraordinary magic." The princess told the emperor that she was skilled in sericulture and requested to summon her to the palace, which the emperor agreed to. After Yan Daoyu entered the palace, she claimed to have taken an elixir, and both the princess and Prince Shao believed her. Prince Shao, who had always flattered the emperor, and they both made many mistakes and were afraid that the emperor would find out, so they asked Yan Daoyu to pray, hoping the emperor would remain unaware of their mistakes. Yan Daoyu assured them, "I will report to the heavens and ensure it remains confidential." Shao and the others served her very respectfully and called her the Celestial Master. Later, they used witchcraft to harm people, crafting a jade effigy in the likeness of the emperor and burying it in front of the Hanzhang Hall.
At first, Princess Dongyang had a servant named Chen Tianxing, who raised a parrot and treated it like a son, even engaged in intimate activities. This parrot, Chen Tianxing, and Huang Menqingguo, who was presented by Ningzhou, were all implicated in the witchcraft. Later, Xiao Shao promoted Chen Tianxing to the position of team leader. After Princess Dongyang died, the parrot was to be married off, and Xiao Shao was worried that this matter would be exposed, so he consulted with Xiao Jun. At that time, Shen Huaiyuan, a man from Wuxing, was a subordinate in Xiao Jun's mansion, and Xiao Jun treated him especially well, so he married the parrot to Shen Huaiyuan as a concubine, keeping it from the emperor. Xiao Shao was afraid that the matter would be revealed in the future, so he discreetly mentioned it to Princess Linhe.
The emperor later learned that Chen Tianxing had become the squad leader, so he sent a eunuch, Xie Chengzu, to question Xiao Shao: "There was a servant in Princess Linhe's mansion who wanted to get married before. I also heard that this servant raised another person's slave as her own son. You actually promoted her to squad leader. Isn’t that a bit too fast? Are all your supervisors and deputies just slaves? What have you arranged for the servant who wanted to get married?" Xiao Shao replied, "Previously, Chen Tianxing managed the South Division (the Dongyang Princess's residence). She asked me to let her work, and I joked, 'As long as you can fight, you can join the squad.' It was just a casual remark at the time, and I forgot about it. Later, Chen Tianxing asked me for a position on the road. Thinking of the past, I felt too embarrassed to go back on my word. Seeing that she was strong and capable, I made her the director of ceremonies and deputy squad leader. Although I value old employees in my hiring, I also consider ability. I have already reported the personnel list. As for the servant who wanted to get married, I haven't found a suitable match for her yet." In fact, at that time, the parrot was already married to Shen Huaiyuan. Worried, Xiao Shao quickly wrote a letter to Xiao Jun, and also asked Xiao Jun to tell Princess Linhe: "If the emperor asks where the parrot has gone to get married, just say it’s still not settled."
Xiao Jun replied, "I follow orders, but I was terrified. I told you about this a long time ago; now you're asking me about it, someone must have leaked information, and I don't know who. Princess Linhe definitely cannot change her stance; otherwise, she will be in trouble herself. This old woman (referring to Princess Dongyang) has offended both sides, making it very difficult for her to be protected. You should go ask Princess Linhe yourself to uncover the truth. If the Emperor inquires, just play it off. I’m not sure if there are any records of her there, so check quickly. Have you had an audience with the Emperor? You should bring this matter directly to his attention. If he (referring to the Emperor) doesn't let it go, then we may have no choice but to expedite her (referring to Princess Dongyang) demise, and perhaps we could even receive a significant reward for it." Xiao Shao and Xiao Jun corresponded using code names in their letters, referring to the Emperor as "that person" or "the one"; Prince Yigong of Jiangxia as "Ninger"; Princess Dongyang's residence outside the Xiyemen Gate was referred to as "South House"; "Wang" refers to the parrot's surname, and reporting to the Emperor personally means reporting to the Jade Emperor and the heavenly deities.
The parrot, this parrot, seems to miss someone from afar. Worried that its secret relationship with Tianxing would be revealed, it asked Shao to take care of Tianxing. Shao secretly sent someone to kill Tianxing. Qingguo figured he would be next since only these two had been close normally, and with Tianxing dead, he reported the whole matter to the emperor. The emperor was both surprised and saddened when he heard this, and immediately ordered the capture of the parrot and sealed off the owner's house. As a result, hundreds of letters exchanged between Shao and Jun, all filled with curses and sorcery, were found, along with their buried puppet of the emperor discovered in the palace. Daoyu had escaped and remained elusive. The emperor was furious, investigated the matter thoroughly, and sent many eunuchs to search in various counties in the east, but still could not find him. The emperor confronted Shao and Jun, and the two of them turned pale with fear, unable to utter a word, and could only apologize repeatedly. Daoyu disguised himself as a nun and hid in the Eastern Palace, while Jun ran to Jingkou and fled with Daoyu, occasionally staying at the home of a commoner named Zhang Wu.
Prince Yigong of Jiangxia returned to the court from Xuyi. The emperor questioned him about the witchcraft, saying, "I've read about such things in books before and thought they were mere fantasies, but I never expected to see it with my own eyes. Although Shao's behavior is improper, it doesn't necessarily mean the downfall of the country. The emperor's position won't be our concern moving forward. You have many sons, so if they ever face such misfortune, don’t take it too hard."
Earlier, in the twenty-eighth year of his reign, a comet appeared from the constellations of Pi and Maobu, entered the Taiwei Palace, passed by the emperor's seat and the front gate, and also passed by the Yi and Zhen constellations. In the twenty-ninth year, Mars retrograded and stayed in the Di constellation. Starting from November, it rained continuously, accompanied by snow, and the sun rarely appeared. In the first month of the thirtieth year, strong winds picked up, hail fell, and thunder rumbled. The emperor was worried that someone might rebel, so he increased Shao's military power and unusually stationed ten thousand soldiers in the East Palace. Whenever the emperor went out, Shao was required to personally guard him and even had the White Direct Guard follow along.
In February of that year, Jun returned from Jingkou to the capital to attend court. Originally, he was supposed to be sent to guard Jiangling, but ended up traveling back with Dao Yu to the East Palace, preparing to head west to Luoyang. Someone informed the emperor: "In Jingkou, there is a commoner named Zhang Ping, whose home has a nun who consumes immortal pills and miraculous medicine, and frequently visits the residence of the Northern Expedition General, appearing to be Yan Dao Yu." Initially, the emperor was skeptical, so he secretly sent someone to investigate and caught the nun's two maidservants, who confessed: "Dao Yu followed the Northern Expedition General back to the capital." The emperor believed that since Shao and Jun had already resolved to eliminate Dao Yu, yet still secretly communicated with him, he felt a mix of anger and fear, truly puzzled and astonished.
So the emperor sent agents by boat from Jingkou to bring Dao Yu's two maidservants for a thorough investigation. Then, the emperor dismissed Shao from his position, had Jun executed, and informed him of the matter. Lady Pan Shufei, Jun's mother, was also informed. Jun quickly sent someone to inform Shao. As a result, Shao reconsidered and hosted nightly banquets for the soldiers, sometimes even raising a toast himself, secretly strategizing with his trusted aides Chen Shuer, Zhan Shuer, Zhaishuai Zhang Chaozhi, and Ren Jianzhi.
Goodness, Dao Yu's daughter is coming soon, on the evening of the twenty-first. She even forged an imperial edict, declaring, "Lu Xiu is planning a rebellion. Guard the palace gates tomorrow morning and lead the troops in to put down the rebellion!" Then she had Zhang Chao and the others gather the over two thousand soldiers they usually had on hand, fully armed. She also summoned the captains and deputy captains of the inner and outer troops, arranged the troops in advance, and said they were going to suppress the rebels. That evening, she also summoned the former Zhongshuzi, Xiao Bin, and in the middle of the night, she called Xiao Bin, left guard leader Yuan Shu, middle chamberlain Yin Zhongsu, and left archer general Wang Zhengjian into the palace, informing them that things were looking grim. She even cried in front of them, frightening Xiao Bin and the others. This incident is noted in Yuan Shu's biography.
The next day, before dawn, Sima Shao, dressed in red, donning armor, rode in a grand carriage and entered the palace with Xiao Bin, accompanied by the usual procession. The gatekeepers didn’t stop them as they went straight through Wanchun Gate. By the old rules, the troops from the East Palace were not allowed to enter the city, but Sima Shao informed the gatekeepers, "This is following the imperial edict to suppress the rebels!" He then urged the troops behind to follow quickly, and Zhang Chao and the others rushed through Yunlong Gate, Donghua Gate, and Zaige, drawing their swords and charging toward the main hall. That night, the emperor and the Minister of Works, Xu Zhanzhi, were locked in a room discussing secretly until dawn, and the soldiers on guard were still asleep. Zhang Chao and the others seized the opportunity to kill Xu Zhanzhi.
Sima Shao rushed into the Hall of Supreme Harmony. By this time, the Emperor had already passed away. Sima Shao took a seat in the Eastern Hall, with Xiao Bin standing guard beside him, knife in hand. He then called for Gu Ju, the imperial secretary. Gu Ju was terrified and didn’t dare to come out for a long while. When he finally mustered the courage to come in, Sima Shao asked him, "Do you want to go down with me? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Before Gu Ju could respond, Sima Shao killed him. He also dispatched someone to Chongli Gate to eliminate Jiang Zhan, the Minister of Personnel. One of the Emperor's guards, Bu Tian, clashed with Sima Shao in the Eastern Hall and was slain. Sima Shao then sent his men to storm the East Pavilion and kill Lady Pan Shu, along with many other close aides of the Emperor—around dozens! He quickly dispatched someone to summon Sima Jun, the Prince of Shixing, to position troops in the central hall. He also called for the Grand Commandant, King of Jiangxia, Sima Yigong, and the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, He Shangzhi. That kid Xiao Daocheng outright usurped the throne, and even issued an edict declaring, "Xu Zhanzhi and Jiang Zhan, these two are simply rebellious villains! I stormed into the palace with my troops, but sadly, it was too late. I am utterly heartbroken! The criminals are captured, the masterminds are dealt with, and now I can grant amnesty to the whole world! Let’s change the 30th year of Jia to the first year of Taichu! All civil and military officials will be promoted two ranks, and everything else will follow the rules of Dingmao year!"
Initially, he asked Xiao Bin to draft the edict, but Xiao Bin declined, saying that he wasn't skilled at writing and couldn't manage it. So, Xiao Daocheng had the attendant Wang Sengchuo write it instead. The era was renamed to Taichu, which had already been agreed upon by Xiao Daocheng and Dao Yu. Xiao Bin remarked, "Changing the era within a year doesn't seem appropriate, does it?" Hearing this, Xiao Daocheng readily agreed. Only a few dozen officials came to pay their respects, so Xiao Daocheng quickly ascended the throne. After the coronation ceremony, he claimed he was ill and returned to Yongfu Province, later relocating to the front hall of Taiji. On that day, he appointed Xiao Bin as Cavalier Regular Attendant, Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and General of the Army; He Shangzhi as Minister of Works; Tan Hezhi as Administrator of Shitoucheng; Dao Hou Yiqi as General Who Conquers the Caitiffs, stationed in the capital; and Yin Zhongjing as Attendant and Central Guard Commander. When the late Emperor was buried, Xiao Daocheng claimed illness and did not dare to show his face. All weapons previously distributed to the princes and regions were recalled to the arsenal. He also executed the confidants of Xu Zhanzhi and Jiang Zhan, including the newly appointed Interior Minister of Shixing, Xun Chisong, the newly appointed Deputy Secretary of the Left, Zang Ningzhi, the Prefect of Shanyin, Fu Sengyou, the Prefect of Wu, Jiang Hui, the former Military Advisor to the Northern Expedition, Zhuge Xu, and the Right Guard Sima Jiang Wengang. He promoted Yin Zhongsu to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Wang Zhengjian to General of the Left Army, Zhang Chaozhi, and those literati who participated in the rebellion, such as Wenzhi Wenzi, Xu Xingzu, Zhan Shuer, Chen Shuer, Ren Jianzhi, and officials from Colonel to General of the Dragon Cavalry, each receiving two hundred thousand coins. He also sent a message to Lu Xiu: "Xu Zhanzhi has always wanted to harm you; I've taken care of him for you," and appointed Lu Xiu and the Commandant of the Stables, Pang Xiuzhi, to jointly command the army. Wang Sengchuo was appointed as Minister of Personnel, and He Yan was appointed as Attendant.
When Xiao Daocheng officially donned mourning attire, he went to the palace to mourn the late emperor, weeping inconsolably. He also sought the opinions of officials and ministers, soliciting advice on governance, alleviating taxes and corvée labor, and curtailing various expenditures on entertainment. The royal lands, parks, and mountains and marshes that could be transferred were all distributed to the poor.
In March, the emperor sent envoys to various places to carry out tasks. Five counties east of Zhejiang were placed under the jurisdiction of Huizhou, Yangzhou was abolished, and the office of Prefect of the Masters of Writing was created, with Yin Chong appointed to the position. Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, the Grand General, was appointed as Grand Preceptor, Minister of Works King Yixuan of Nanqiao was appointed as Grand Commandant, and Prince Jun of Shixing, the Guard General and Inspector of Jingzhou, was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Wang Sengchuo was executed for his role in the emperor's deposition. Prince Jin of Changsha, Jin's brother Kai, Prince Ye of Linchuan, Marquis Ji of Guiyang, and Marquis Qiu of Xinyu were all imprisoned and executed as a result of past enmities. The officials, mindful of the emperor's wishes, were cautious not to employ overly laudatory language when posthumously honoring the Emperor Taizu, ultimately bestowing upon him the title of Emperor Jing of Zhongzong. Zang Zhi was appointed as Intendant of Danyang, promoted to General Who Subdues the South, and given the additional title of Cavalier In Regular Attendance; General Who Fosters Valor Prince Shuo of Nanping was appointed as General of the Central Army; and Governor of Kuaiji Su Wangdan was appointed as Inspector of Huizhou. Prince Yigong of Jiangxia served simultaneously as Grand Preceptor and Grand Master, handling consultations and reports, a system that adhered to the precedent set by the Prince of Fufeng during the Jin Dynasty.
Emperor Shizu, along with regional military and political leaders, including King Yixuan of Nanqiao and King Dan of Sui, all rose up in rebellion. When Liu Shao heard that the rebel forces were mobilizing on a large scale, he gathered all the princes and ministers in the city and relocated King Yigong of Jiangxia to a residence beneath the Ministry of Personnel, while his sons resided in accommodations below the Palace Attendants. Before the first year of the Yongchu era, the matters of fasting, preaching, envoys, and other affairs of the Prime Minister's Office were all overseen by Xue County in Nanpengcheng. Liu Shao issued orders stating that he would raise troops from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, personally lead six armies, monitor the situation in Jiangzhou and Jianye, and convene all subordinate officials and generals. He also elevated the military ranks of the Taishou in the Sanwu region and appointed deputy generals and soldiers. In April, Liu Shao declared Lady Yin as the Empress. Emperor Shizu issued a proclamation to the capital, declaring:
Alas, there's no such thing as eternal good fortune. There are always great disasters and difficulties. Since the previous generation, whether it was due to not enjoying enough benefits or simply bad luck, or because of incompetence and cruelty that led to chaos in the world, in the end, it is all due to a lack of understanding and broken bonds of trust between monarch and ministers. Therefore, like ice meeting fire, it will inevitably melt away. I've never seen anyone manage the world with the right principles, educate the people, and end up being consumed by it. It is truly unpredictable!
My father, the late Emperor, during his reign was wise, virtuous, and benevolent; his achievements spread throughout the world, his radiance shone upon all nations, and his teachings resonated deeply with the people. His influence reached far and wide, even the desolate and remote places felt his grace; his compassion touched everyone, making even stones and wood seem alive. However, that scoundrel Shao, relying on his royal lineage and spoiled since childhood, actually seized the throne and disrespected the Empress, cruel and brutal since childhood, becoming even more treacherous and vicious as he grew up. That rogue Jun, even more violent and lawless, colluded with one another from childhood through adulthood, committing all kinds of misdeeds together.
My father had long anticipated that the royal family was bound to face disaster, with the nation in peril. Therefore, he had been patient, not exposing their crimes, hoping that through education and admonition, they could reform their ways. Unexpectedly, these arrogant and evil individuals not only refused to repent but also colluded, using witchcraft to create chaos and ultimately committing regicide and usurping the throne! My father was tragically poisoned, the country faced destruction, and people were in panic. Both mortals and deities were in deep mourning. Such a calamity has never been seen from ancient times until now! Upon hearing this terrible news, we were struck with terror, our hearts heavy with grievances and rage, with nowhere to turn. The Grand Marshal and the princes were imprisoned, their fates hanging in the balance. Xu Pushe, Jiang Shangshu, and Yuan Zuoshuai were all the backbone of the nation at that time, loyal and steadfast. Some spoke out in court, some refused to go along with the traitors' conspiracy, and all were killed, their severed heads displayed for all to see in the city. The royal family was exterminated, and the suffering extended beyond a single surname. This calamity has spread, and we are left wondering when it will finally cease.
Back in the days of the Zhou Dynasty's decline, the states of Qi and Jin had both rallied to the king's aid. The Han Dynasty also experienced internal strife, with loyal ministers, such as Xu and Mou, who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Our current officials in the government bear the same responsibility as the loyal ministers of ancient times, their loyalty comparable to that of king and subjects. Therefore, we are all on edge, struggling to survive, all in the effort to bring the culprits to justice and restore honor to our nation.
Now I command Champion General Liu Yuanjing to lead the Zhongzhi army, and General Ma Wengong, the Ning Shuo General, to command thirty thousand elite soldiers to swiftly advance to Shitoucheng before splitting their forces to attack Baixia; General Zong Que, the Fuguo General, commands twenty thousand soldiers, and General Shen Qingzhi, the Zhenlu General, leads fifty thousand elite soldiers, both also set off quickly; other troops also act separately, with some burning ships and marching from Gushu; while others are taking fast boats from Wuhu to occupy Yunyang. These generals are all brave and resourceful, renowned throughout the Central Plains, with achievements recognized far and wide. The elite soldiers directly commanded by the headquarters number over one hundred thousand, all sharpening their swords and gearing up for battle, with troops continuously heading to the front lines. The wise and decisive Lord Situ launched an attack, mobilizing the armies from eight provinces and rapidly advancing towards Jingzhou and Yingzhou; Champion General Zang Zhizhong is exceptionally brave and is also responding proactively, with a formidable presence in the army; Champion General Zhu Xiuzhi is loyal and reliable, also going all out. The million-strong armies of Jingzhou and Yongzhou are also setting out in succession, and the Shu Han army has already crossed the borders.
General Andong's birthday, General Zunkao of Pingxi, former Fumou General Xiao Sihua, General Lu Shuang of the Expeditionary Army, and former Ning Shuo General Wang Xuanmo all sent secret messages, and all regions responded to the call, issuing military orders across the Three Wu regions, and the troops rushed to the capital. Armies from all over, near and far, have mobilized, with banners flying for miles around. Warships race across the river, shrouded in mist; the army marches through the wilderness, trampling everything in their path. We have strategists with outstanding plans and brave soldiers who are ready and waiting, with hearts filled with righteous fury. The blessings of the former sage are gathered in the hearts of the people, in accordance with the will of heaven. This is the natural order of things. Without a homeland, there can be no world. The military orders have been issued, and various regions have responded. With such a vast army, who can stand against us? In such a righteous cause, how can we possibly lose? Moreover, the enemy has no popular support; both heaven and earth are outraged. They are merely a rabble, few in number and insignificant. Compared with the Zhou dynasty, they are not worth mentioning at all. Those wise men will look down on them. It's like using the water of the sea to extinguish fireflies, using mountains to crush eggs. What do the powers of the Shang and Zhou dynasties even matter? All of you, some of you are loyal for generations, receiving the emperor's grace; some of you have distinguished yourselves through loyalty and service. Regardless of the past, now we should all unite. Now that the enemy is approaching and the situation is critical, we should seize the opportunity to make contributions and wash away shame; if we cannot succeed, it may still be wise to abandon the enemy and return to the court; but if you persist in your wrong ways and continue to collaborate with the enemy, you will face severe punishment, and your entire family will be implicated. Rewards and punishments are as clear as day and night. I hope this great fire will reduce all opposing forces to ashes, and everyone will be safe and sound, without regrets. Once this decree is issued, it should be clear to all.
Shao considered himself well-versed in military affairs and told the courtiers, "You just need to help me with the paperwork; don't worry about military deployments. If the enemy attacks, I will personally lead the battle to ensure they dare not act recklessly!" The Chief Clerk Yin Chong was responsible for handling paperwork, General Yin Hong was in charge of military equipment, Xiao Bin was responsible for overall coordination, and strict security measures were implemented both inside and outside the palace. The Emperor's son was protected in the Lower Palace, while the sons of Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao were sheltered in an empty house in Taicang. Shao sent a letter to the Emperor saying, "I heard that you suddenly rebelled, taking up arms against the court. The courtiers are all outraged, and the people are furious. Historically, rebellions within royal families have always been crushed. Having read so many books, don't you grasp this principle? Now the Emperor is wise and martial; since ascending the throne, his grace has spread throughout the world, and the people are willing to sacrifice everything for him. You have been favored by the Emperor since childhood; the joyful days in the Eastern Palace feel like they were just yesterday, yet you have fallen for the slander of treacherous men, forgetting this favor. This is unjust, and both mortals and deities are outraged! The army and navy are fully prepared; the Emperor himself commands the army, while the Grand Preceptor leads additional troops to support. I and Prince Nanping Shuo are about to set off. The reason for not deploying troops earlier is in the hope that you will repent. These are just my thoughts, not fully expressed. The Emperor's favor towards you is very heavy. Now the Crown Prince (nickname Fashi) is in the palace; I thought you’d be interested in him, so I brought it up casually." The "Wuyang" mentioned in the letter refers to Prince Nanping Shuo, and "Fashi" is the milk name of the Emperor's heir.
Shao wanted to kill all the common people in the three towns. Jiangxia Wang Yigong and He Shang advised him, "Those who accomplish great things do not concern themselves with the affairs of ordinary families. Moreover, most of those common people are in a desperate situation. If you suddenly kill their families, it will only strengthen their determination to resist." Shao thought they made sense and ordered that no further questions be asked. Then he sent Chu Zhan to guard Shitou City, and Liu Sikao to guard Dongfu.
Jun and Xiao Bin advised Shao to lead the navy to launch a decisive battle from upstream. If that didn't work, they should defend Liangshan. Jiangxia Wang Yigong believed that the insurgent forces were hastily assembled, with crude ships unsuitable for naval warfare. He suggested, "The enemy is led by young generals who are inexperienced in battle. They are already exhausted from the long journey. We should wait for them to tire themselves out. If we venture too far from Liangshan, our capital will be left defenseless, and enemy forces from the east might exploit the situation. If our forces are spread too thin, they will lose cohesion. It is better to build up strength and wait for the right moment, waiting for their weaknesses to show." Shao accepted his advice. However, Xiao Bin sternly said, "The young Nan Zhonglang has accomplished such significant feats, which is truly difficult to estimate. The three forces are colluding, occupying the upstream. Shen Qingzhi is very knowledgeable in military affairs, and Liu Yuanjing and Zong Que have made significant contributions in battle. The situation is dire, and these are no ordinary foes. We should take advantage of the people's support while we still have it, and fight to the death. If we simply remain passive in the city, how can we survive? The commander and ministers have lost their will to fight; this is a sign from heaven!" Shao did not listen to him.
Shao suspected that the old officials of the court were not in his favor, so he promoted Wang Luohan and Lu Xiu, entrusting them with military matters and rewarding them with numerous treasures and beautiful women to curry favor with them. Luohan used to be the Right Army Captain of the Southern Ping King Shuo, and Shao held him in high regard for his military talent. Some advised Shao to hold onto the Stone City, but Shao replied, "The reason people held the Stone City in the past was to wait for the princes to come to their aid. If I stay here, who will come to my aid? We must fight with all our might; otherwise, we are doomed!" He personally inspected the camp every day, encouraged the soldiers, supervised the repair of ships by the water officials, set fire to the southern bank of the river, and drove the common people to the northern bank.
Then, he ordered the relevant departments to submit a report to appoint Zi Wei as the Crown Prince, appoint Chu Zhanzhi as the Grand Marshal, Dan Yang Yin, and establish a historian; appoint the General of the Cavalry, Shixing Wang Jun, as the Attendant, the Director of the Palace Library, the Minister of Works, and the Recorder of the Six Ministers; appoint the General of the Central Army, Southern Ping Wang Shuo as the Envoy, the Commander of the Southern Yanzhong, Yanzhong, Xu, Ji, and five states, the General of the Northern Expedition, the Chief of the Imperial Household, and the Governor of Southern Yanzhong; appoint the newly appointed General, Dan Yang Yin Jianping Wang Hong as the Cavalier, the Garrison General, and the Governor of Jiangzhou.
Pang Xiuzhi was the first to flee south from Stone City, which sent everyone into a panic. The court quickly appointed General Yiqi, also known as Yingdaohou, as the Governor of Xiangzhou, and Assistant General Tan Hezhi as the Western Zhonglang General and Governor of Yongzhou. The stage was set for a final confrontation with the rebels. On the nineteenth, the rebels arrived at Xinlin, and Liu Shao climbed the beacon tower of Stone City to observe the enemy from afar. On the twenty-first, the rebels advanced to Xinting. Meanwhile, Lu Xiu was stationed at Baishi, and Liu Shao summoned Lu Xiu and Wang Luohan to jointly guard the Vermilion Bird Gate. Xiao Bin led the infantry, Chu Zhanzhi led the navy, and the forces were deployed in a tight formation.
On the 22nd, Liu Shao sent Xiao Bin to lead ten thousand elite troops, including Lu Xiu and Wang Luohan, to attack the camp at Xinting. He himself also ascended the Zhuque Gate to personally oversee the battle. The soldiers knew that Liu Shao had invested heavily in rewards, and each of them fought to the death. Just as they were about to capture the camp, Lu Xiu suddenly withdrew his troops, giving Liu Yuanjing and his allies an opportunity to exploit the situation, leading to a complete defeat. Liu Shao then led his trusted followers to attack the camp, but was again defeated by Liu Yuanjing. Liu Shao hurriedly fled back to Tai City, while Xiao Bin was shot in the arm by a stray arrow. Chu Zhanzhi surrendered to Tan Hezhi with his two sons. Liu Shao was so terrified that he fled back to Tai City. That night, Lu Xiu also fled south.
At this time, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia wanted to occupy Shitou City, but Liu Shao had already instructed Jun and Xiao Bin to prepare for defense. Liu Shao also burned the military records in the capital, established new counties, and placed them all under the control of the Inspectorate, claiming it was for the people, but in reality, it was to solidify his rule. He appointed Wang Luohan, who was previously the General of the Front Army and Assistant General of the State, as the Left Guard General, with the title of Assistant General remaining unchanged. Wang Zhengjian, the Left Army General, was appointed as the Prince's Left Guard Commander, all aimed at winning the people's loyalty and securing his position. On the 25th, Yigong fled south alone, riding a horse, leaving through the Dongye Gate and crossing the Huai River at Yezhu. Wu Daoxing, the captain of Dongye Gate, was a student of Zang Zhi, and the military master of Yezhu, Yuan Zhisun, was an old subordinate of Emperor Song Shizu, which allowed Yigong to escape successfully. Liu Shao dispatched cavalry to pursue him, but by the time they arrived at Yezhu, Yigong had just crossed the Huai River. Yigong's aides and more than two thousand subordinates fled south together, many of whom were killed by the pursuing forces. Liu Shao also ordered the execution of several of Yigong's sons.
Liu Shao invited Jiang Hou's statue into the palace, kowtowed for blessings, and was then appointed as Grand Marshal, Prince of Zhongshan County, with a food estate of ten thousand households, and was also given the ritual axe. Su Hou was appointed as the General of Cavalry. Liu Shao also had Prince Nanping, Shuo, write a memorial condemning the crimes of Emperor Song Shizu, which was a complete inversion of the truth!
Jia Jun was appointed as the Governor of Nanxu and Kuaiji, overseeing military affairs, and also served as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Governor of Nanxu Province, with twenty sword-bearing guards assigned to him. General Who Conquers the North and Governor of Nanyan Province, Prince Nanping, Shuo, was promoted to General of Cavalry and collaborated with Jia Jun on official matters. On the 27th day, the Emperor officially proclaimed Xi Wei as the Crown Prince in the imperial palace, with all officials in military attire, except for Shao, who was dressed in civilian robes. A decree was then issued granting amnesty to all except for Shizu, Liu Yigong, Liu Yixuan, and Liu Dan, with no repercussions for their followers.
Previously, the court had sent Grand Tutor Yudao and Cavalry Attendant Zhu Hezhi to the east to resist Liu Dan. In May, the Grand Tutor Gu Binzhi and Liu Dan's vanguard forces arrived at Qu'a and clashed with Yudao, resulting in a major defeat for Liu Dan's army. Shao ordered the destruction of the Duoshui West Workshop and Left Imperial Factory, as well as the disruption of the Baigang Fangshan Dam, severing the eastern army's supply routes. He gathered all able-bodied men from the city and surrounding alleys to build war vessels along the Huai River, equipped with many large crossbows. He also sent the Commandant of Langye County, Yang Xizha, to block the waterways at Bandu and Baishi. By this time, all young men had been conscripted, resulting in women being conscripted for labor as well.
On the third day of the third month, Lu Xiu and his men recruited five hundred warriors to attack Dahang (shipyard on the Yangtze River), and indeed captured a large ship! Wang Luohan and his deputy Yang Shide were sent to recapture the ship, but Luohan was drunk on the ship, enjoying himself, when he suddenly learned that the government forces had crossed the river. In a panic, he quickly fired the cannons and surrendered. The flags and troops on Dahang scattered one after another, and weapons, war drums, and banners littered the streets and alleys.
That night, Xiao Daocheng closed the city gates, dug trenches, and erected barricades within the city gates, and even converted open-air carts into watchtowers. The city was in complete disarray. The magistrate of Danyang, Yin Hong, former general Meng Zongsi, and other officers all scaled the walls. Xiao Daocheng ordered the burning of his official carriage and the emperor's garments. When Xiao Bin heard that Dahang had fallen, he was at a loss and ordered his soldiers to disarm and surrender, sent people to the imperial palace to apologize, and then surrendered himself with a white flag, only to be executed on the spot.
On the fourth day of March, General Jiangxia Wang Yigong mounted the Zhuque Gate, leading the generals and dispatching Lu Xiu, Xue Andu, and Cheng Tianzuo directly to Xuanyang Gate. Xiao Daocheng's subordinates, including Xu Xingzu, Luo Xun, and Yu Qiu Yao'er, also surrendered with their troops. Xiao Daocheng had previously sent General Longxiang Chen Shuer to the east for a campaign, but he recalled him due to the urgent situation. On this day, Xiao Daocheng had just arrived at Jiangyang Gate when he spotted the imperial army in the distance, and his soldiers dropped their weapons and ran away. Xiao Daocheng's confidant Bai Zhi and other rebels initially camped outside the Changhe Gate, but later retreated back into the palace. Cheng Tianzuo, Xue Andu, and Deputy General Tan Jin seized the opportunity to rush in and successfully enter the palace. Xue Andu and military commanders Wu Nian, Song Yue, and others successively attacked the palace, as Zang Zhi's army stormed in through the Guangmo Gate. Everyone gathered in front of the Taiji Hall and immediately executed the Left Guard of the Prince, Wang Zhengjian. The seven princes, including Prince Jianping and Prince Donghai, all rushed out in tears. Xiao Daocheng fled to the well in the armory through a gap in the west wall and was captured by Deputy Gao Qin. Xiao Jun, along with dozens of subordinates, escaped from Ximing Gate with Prince Nanping, Xiao Shuo, and headed south. They met Jiangxia Wang Yigong in Yuecheng, and Xiao Jun dismounted and asked, "What are you planning to do now, Southern Commandant?" Yigong said, "There is no ruler in the world; all the officials are calling for the enthronement of a new ruler, and the emperor has heeded the people's will and is ready to take charge." He added, "Did you arrive too late?" Yigong said, "Indeed, it is too late." Xiao Jun asked again, "Is there still a way for me to avoid death?" Yigong said, "You can go to the palace to plead guilty." Xiao Jun asked, "I was wondering if you could offer me a position to serve?" Yigong said, "That's hard to say." So Yigong compelled Xiao Jun to return with him and killed him along the way. Xiao Jun, whose courtesy name was Xiuming, was born on a night when a hawk landed on the roof and called out.
When he was eight years old, in the thirteenth year of the Yuanjia era, he was appointed as the Prince of Shixing, a true little prince! By the sixteenth year, his career took off, and he directly became the military commander of Xiangzhou, also serving as the General and Governor of Xiangzhou—impressive, right? Not long after, he was promoted again, this time to an even higher rank: the military commander overseeing the five provinces of Nanyu, Yuzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, and Bingzhou, while still retaining his General duties.
In the seventeenth year, he was promoted to the Governor of Yangzhou, with his General position still intact, and he was also given subordinates to lead troops—a pretty impressive sight! However, the good times didn't last; in the nineteenth year, his mansion was taken away. But no need to worry, two years later, in the twenty-first year of Yuanjia, he was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, and his official position rose to the General of the Central Army. The ups and downs of his career were quite a ride!
Next year, Jun reported to the emperor: "Wu Xing County, under my jurisdiction, is surrounded by mountains, with low-lying and wet land, where numerous springs converge. The slow progress and frequent blockages of flood control projects have caused floods shortly after a little rain. Some farmers are forced to halt planting in the spring, while others have their crops submerged in autumn. The people are suffering immensely and have no means to protect themselves. The land in Wu Xing is fertile and has a large population, and a year of good harvest can supply the capital with grains. However, if there is a flood, several counties will be affected. In recent years, poor harvests have outnumbered good ones. While the court's disaster relief efforts have been substantial, it has also depleted a large amount of national treasury reserves. The losses to the country and the people have not ended yet. The people of Wu Xing, represented by Yao Qiao, who has a good understanding of the situation, believe that Wu Xing, Kuai Ji, Jin Ling, and Yi Xing all flow into Taihu Lake, but the Songjiang and Hu Du rivers are blocked, causing widespread flooding. He suggested digging a canal from the Zhu Xi in Wu Kang to Taihu Lake, all the way to the mouth of the sea, about a hundred miles, to keep the waterways open. He personally surveyed and measured for more than twenty years. During the flood in the eleventh year, he had already mentioned this proposal to the former governor, Shen Yikang, and sent his registrar, Sheng Yantai, to survey with Yao Qiao, but they disagreed and the matter was shelved. Since this involves such great interests, it should be studied carefully. Therefore, the court sent the official Shi Yuchangsun and the governor of Wu Xing, Kong Shanshi, to conduct a field survey, examine the topography, evaluate the elevation changes, and the source and flow direction of the rivers. They conducted on-site surveys, drew maps, and performed detailed calculations, and after their investigation, they believed that this plan was feasible. These four counties are all suffering from the same water disaster, not just Wu Xing County. If this waterway is opened, many places will benefit. While it may be challenging initially, it will ultimately lead to lasting peace. However, this project is huge and difficult to start. Now, it is suggested to initially open a small canal to test the water flow, and immediately arrange for the people near Wucheng, Wukang, and Dongqian counties to start construction. If feasible, the scale will be expanded later, with a detailed report to follow. In ancient times, the proposals made by the generals Shi Qi and Bi Zhong of the State of Zheng benefited future generations. Although Yao Qiao's suggestion seems ordinary, if it is indeed feasible, it can benefit the region." The emperor approved his proposal; however, the project ultimately did not succeed.
Paragraph 2: The emperor approved Jun's memorial and approved the plan to first open a small canal as a trial. This is like conducting a small experiment first to see the results before deciding on large-scale construction. This reflects a cautious approach to governance, trying a small experiment first before making large investments to avoid wasting unnecessary resources. This is similar to the ancient saying, "If you fail to prepare, you will fail." Although the final project was not successful, from Jun's memorial, we can see his thoughtful consideration for the people and his serious attitude towards managing water disasters. He not only detailed the severity of the water disasters, analyzed the reasons, proposed specific solutions, but also conducted on-site inspections and justifications. This reflects his sense of responsibility and commitment as an official. The emperor's approval of his proposal also reflects the court's emphasis on the people's livelihood. Although the "work ultimately failed," this memorial alone demonstrates the hardships of managing water disasters at that time and the determination of officials to advocate for the people. This phrase "work ultimately failed" is also worth pondering, reminding us that even the best plans require careful implementation and long-term effort to ultimately succeed.
When I was twenty-three years old, I started to be in charge of the wind band, which involved playing wind and percussion instruments. After three years, at the age of twenty-six, I received several official titles, suddenly becoming the General of the Army, Governor of South Xu and Yanzhou, General of the Northern Expedition, Prefect of the Palace, Governor of South Xu and Yanzhou, while still keeping the position of Palace Attendant. These titles sound impressive, right? Two years later, at the age of twenty-eight, I sent Jun to lead the army to build the city on Guabu Mountain, while also addressing some issues in Nanyanzhou. Another two years passed, and at the age of thirty, I was promoted again! This time, it was even more impressive, as I became the General of the Army overseeing Jing, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, and both North and South Qin, General of the Guard, Prefect of the Palace, Governor of Jingzhou, and Commander of the Southern Barbarian Guard. I still retained the positions of General and Palace Attendant as usual. The higher my official position, the more regions I was responsible for, and the greater the responsibility.
Prince Li Jun loved reading from a young age and was also quite handsome. His mother, Lady Pan Shufei, was highly favored, and since there was no empress in the palace at that time, she managed its affairs. Li Jun not only looked good but also had talent. With his mother's favor, the Emperor Taizu paid special attention to him. Prince Jianping Liu Hong, Attendant Wang Sengchuo, and Imperial Secretary Cai Xingzong often exchanged poetry and essays with him.
Initially, Empress Yuan was jealous of Lady Pan Shufei's favor and was very angry, eventually leading to her death. Therefore, Li Shao deeply hated the Pan family and Li Jun. Li Jun was worried about future retaliation from Li Shao, so he deliberately tried to please him, and their relationship became very good. Li Jun later made many mistakes and was repeatedly reprimanded by the Emperor, which made him quite fearful. So, he and Li Shao began to engage in witchcraft together.
Later, Li Jun was sent to guard Jingkou, and he was allowed to bring two thousand civil and military officials from Yangzhou with him, enjoying a carefree life outside the capital. After spending several years there, he lost control of Nanyanzhou and wanted to return to the court. Prince Luling Xiao Shao resigned as governor of Yangzhou due to illness, while Prince Jiangxia Xiao Yigong was stationed outside. Li Jun believed that the position of governor of Yangzhou should rightfully belong to him, but the Emperor gave this position to Prince Nanqiao Xiao Yixuan, which left Li Jun feeling quite disgruntled.
Therefore, he requested to be stationed in Jiangling through Xu Yuan, the Gentleman of the Household Department, and sought help from the Minister of Works, Xu Zhanzhi. However, the Minister of Works, He Shangzhi, and others believed that Li Jun, as the prince's brother, should not be sent to such a distant place. The Emperor believed that such important states should be managed by loyal subjects, so he ultimately appointed Li Jun as the governor of Jiangling. After entering the court, the Emperor asked him to return to the capital and manage the matters before his departure.
A few days after Li Jun returned to the capital, the witchcraft incident came to light in July of the twenty-ninth year of the Zhenguan era. The emperor sighed for several days about this and said to Consort Pan Shu, "The Crown Prince is scheming for wealth and power; he has ulterior motives! 'Hu Tou' is acting like he did before; I really didn't expect this! How can you and your son leave me for even a day?" ("Hu Tou" is Li Jun's nickname). The emperor privately reprimanded Li Jun harshly through his confidant Zhu Fayu, with a tone of great sorrow, and even wrote to him, "You must have heard about the parrot incident; how could you be so reckless? Besides, who is Shen Huaiyuan? How could he possibly help you cover this up?" The emperor had Zhu Fayu scold him in person, then put down his pen, sighed, and lamented. Li Jun was ashamed and afraid, not knowing how to respond.
Li Jun originally returned to the capital just to temporarily leave for a while, but the emperor was angry and did not allow him to go back. In December of that year, the Central Secretariat Minister, Cai Xingzong, asked Prince Jianping Liu Hong, "This year is almost over; when will the General of the Northern Expedition return?" Liu Hong sighed and took a long time to say, "He may not be able to return within this year." During his time in the capital, Li Jun had secret meetings with Shen Huaiyuan, who had been appointed as a military officer in Changhai. Every night, Li Jun secretly opened the side door to meet Shen Huaiyuan. When the emperor learned of this, he executed Li Jun's favored concubine, Yang Chengxian.
In the second year of the first month, the situation in Jingzhou was still unresolved. In the second month, Li Jun returned to the court. On the fourteenth day, he received an imperial decree from the emperor. That day, the case of Yan Daoyu came to light, and the next day Li Jun went to thank the emperor, who looked furious. That night, the emperor sternly questioned him, and Li Jun repeatedly confessed. Lady Pan Shufei held Li Jun and cried, saying, "When the incident of witchcraft and curse was exposed, I hoped you would reflect and repent, but I didn't expect you to hide Yan Daoyu! The emperor is very angry with you; even if I beg on my knees, he will not easily forgive you. What meaning is there in you being alive now? Hurry and have someone bring medicine; I will kill myself first, I can't bear the thought of you suffering!" Li Jun pushed her away and said, "Everything in this world has its own judgment; please don't worry, I will not involve you."
That morning, Shao killed the emperor. Jun was in Xizhou at the time, and his retainer Zhu Fayu hurriedly ran to tell him, "The palace is in complete chaos, the palace gates are closed, and the streets are all saying the Crown Prince is rebelling; we don't know what major events might unfold." Jun was terrified and asked, "What should we do now?" Zhu Fayu advised him to quickly occupy Shitou City. Jun had not received news from Shao and didn't know the outcome of the situation; he was in a panic and didn't know what to do. General Wang Qing said, "There is chaos in the palace now, the safety of the emperor is unknown; as courtiers, we must step forward. We should immediately go to rescue; staying put on the city walls is not what courtiers do!" Jun didn't listen to him; he exited the city through the south gate and went straight to Shitou City, accompanied by over a thousand officials and soldiers. At that moment, Prince Nanping Shuo was stationed at Shitou City, with over a thousand soldiers there.
Before long, Shao sent Zhang Chao to ride and summon Jun. Jun dismissed his attendants, asked for details, immediately put on his military uniform, mounted his horse, and left. Zhu Fayu strongly advised Jun against it, but Jun did not listen. When he got to the main gate, Wang Qing tried to persuade him again: "The Crown Prince has rebelled, and everyone in the world resents him. If you just hold the city gates and relax with the food you have, in at most three days, those rebels will disperse on their own. What is the point of leaving now?" Jun angrily shouted, "If anyone dares to say another word against the Crown Prince's orders, you'll be executed!" When he got to Shao's, Jun advised Shao to kill Xun Chisong and the others. Shao informed Jun that Lady Pan Shufei had been killed by the rioters. Jun shockingly replied, "This is what the common folks have been hoping for!" He was so rebellious!
Word has it that Shao was on the verge of death, and someone suggested he make a run for the sea. They then moved many treasures and silk onto the ship and wrote him a note that said, "The ship’s not ready yet. Tonight, all the items must be moved, and you must quickly order to reward the ships! Ni (Yan Daoyu) has already entered the city, and tomorrow we will have a decisive battle with him! I think the Emperor should personally come here to preside over the situation; otherwise, we won't be able to control it!" So, everyone panicked and ignored the plan. The "Ni" they mentioned in the letter is actually Yan Daoyu.
Later, Shao committed suicide by jumping into a well, but he was pulled out by Gao Qin. Shao asked Gao Qin, "Where is the emperor?" Gao Qin replied, "The emperor is near Xinting now." They brought Shao to the palace, where Zang Zhi saw him and cried bitterly. Shao said, "The heavens and earth can no longer bear me; why are you crying, my old friend?" Zang Zhi then revealed the truth about Shao's rebellion, saying, "The late emperor was wrongly killed; you shouldn't be treated like a criminal! I asked Xiao Bin, and it was Xiao Bin who advised me to do this." Shao then asked Zang Zhi, "Can you help me plead for mercy and let me be exiled far away?" Zang Zhi replied, "The emperor is currently in Hangnan; it's up to the emperor to decide." So they tied Shao on a horse and escorted him to the military camp.
At the military camp, Shao surveyed his surroundings from the horse, and General Yigong of Jiangxia and other princes came to see him. Yigong questioned Shao, "I surrendered; what grave crime did I commit to deserve my entire family of twelve children to be killed?" Shao replied, "I am sorry for what happened to your brothers. I apologize to your father." Jiang Zhan's wife Yu Shi sat in the car and scolded him, and Pang Xiuzhi joined in with harsh rebukes. Shao shouted loudly, "Are you people not tired of this?" They first executed Shao's four sons, turning to King Shuo of Nanping and saying, "What is this!" Finally, they killed Shao in the military camp. Before he died, Shao sighed, "I never imagined that as a member of the royal family, I would find myself in such a predicament."
It is said that Shao and Jun, along with Shao's four sons—Weizhi, Dizhi, Binzhi—and an unnamed child... Jun's three sons Changwen, Changren, and Changdao all had their heads chopped off and their bodies thrown into the street for public display. Shao's wife, Yinshi, was sentenced to death by the court. Before her death, she said to the chief jailer Jiang Ke, "Your family has killed each other like this; why do you falsely accuse innocent people of killing them?" Jiang Ke replied, "She was set to become queen; isn’t that a crime?" Yinshi let out a cold laugh, "This is just temporary power; maybe one day even a parrot can become queen!" Jun's wife, Chushi, who was the daughter of the Dan Yang magistrate Zhan Zhi, cut ties with Jun when Zhan Zhi fled south, so she escaped unscathed. The other children and concubines were executed in prison.
The bodies of Shao and Jun were thrown into the river, and their other accomplices, including Wang Luohan, were all executed. Zhang Chao heard news of the mutiny and fled to the ruins of the He Dian, right next to the imperial bed, where he was brutally killed by the mutineers. They sliced open his abdomen, pulled out his heart, dismembered his flesh, and the soldiers even devoured his flesh raw, finally burning his skull. At that time, the imperial seal was missing, so they asked Shao, who told them it was with Yan Daoyu. They found the seal there. Daoyu and the parrot were both whipped to death in the crowded marketplace, then their bodies were burned at the base of Shitou Siwang Mountain, and their ashes were scattered into the river. The building where Shao lived in the East Palace was also demolished, leaving it in a filthy and desolate state.
Gao Qin was appointed as the man of Xinyang County, with a fief of three hundred households. Pan Shufei was posthumously honored as Lady of Changning Garden, and her tomb was maintained for her. The acting commander Yin Chong and the Dan Yang official Yin Hong were both sentenced to death. Yin Chong was the one who drafted the edict for Shao Cao and was also the uncle of Pan Shufei. On the morning of the twenty-first day of the second month, Yin Hong went to court and, upon hearing about the incident in the palace, he led the imperial soldiers from the city to the lower pavilion. Upon hearing that Shao had entered the palace, he quickly reported the incident and requested to be punished. He also helped Shao arrange the soldiers with all his heart. Yin Hong, from Tianshui, Jizhou, was the younger brother of the governor of Sizhou, Yin Chong. He had always been trusted by Emperor Taizu, and during the Yuanjia period, he held various high-ranking positions in the court, arranging all the high and low official positions.
Historians say: Ah, the affairs of the Song family are really difficult! Since the Xia Dynasty, when Emperor Xushi established the country, unified the world, and declared himself emperor, there has never been such a disaster. Only the Jing Kingdom and the Ju Kingdom abandoned the etiquette of the Huaxia people, changed into barbarian clothing, and King Wuling of the Hu people also abandoned the rules and regulations of the Huaxia people. These acts of violence all started from small things, but because the roots of the calamity were deep, they eventually only affected this generation. The rise of calamity is destined by heaven, but the corruption originates from within; the values of filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, and integrity have vanished in an instant, and the common people did not perish because of this, which is a small mercy! Ah, the things of the Song Dynasty are really hard to describe! Since the Xia Dynasty, how many emperors and generals have established dynasties and dominated one region, yet never have we seen such chaos. Only the Jing Kingdom and the Ju Kingdom, who did not learn well at that time, abandoned our Huaxia traditions, imitated the barbarian's appearance, and King Wuling even practiced barbarian dress and archery, which deviated from the rules passed down by our ancestors. These acts of violence and chaos built up over time, but the roots of the calamity were too deep, and in the end, only this generation was affected, which can be considered fortunate!
Think about it, if this chaos continues, the common people will suffer. This chaos is a divine calamity, but the source of this filth is found within the inner court. Filial piety towards parents and respect for elders—these fundamental principles of respect and duty have vanished. The common people are fortunate to have escaped being consumed by this chaos.
In Lueyang, the Yang family has resided and has been a prominent family in the Longyou region since the Qin and Han dynasties. During the Jian'an period of Emperor Xian of Han, a man named Yang Teng from this family became the chieftain of the tribe. Yang Teng's son, Yang Ju, was brave and intelligent, and later moved the tribe to Chouchi.
Chouchi covers an area of about one hundred hectares, which is why it is called "Baiqing." It is surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, with only about twenty miles of flat land. The roads are like sheep trails, winding and twisting, with thirty-six turns. There are many springs on the mountains, and the soil can even be processed into salt! Yang Ju's grandson, Yang Qianwan, was later granted the title of Di King of Baiqing by the Wei Kingdom. Yang Qianwan's grandson, Yang Feilong, expanded the tribe, making it increasingly powerful. Emperor Wu of Jin even appointed him as the General of the Westward Expedition, but he later returned to his hometown in Lueyang.
As Yang Feilong had no sons, he adopted his nephew Linghu's son, Yang Wusou, as his heir. In the sixth year of Emperor Huai of Jin, to escape the turmoil in Qimillennium, Yang Wusou led over four thousand households back to Chouchi, where he took on the titles of General of the State and Rightful King. Many people from Guanzhong fled to Chouchi, and Yang Wusou welcomed them and ensured they were settled properly. If anyone wished to leave, he even offered them travel expenses and protection. Emperor Min of Jin also appointed him as the General of the Valiant Cavalry and the Leftful King. At that time, Prince Nanyang Bao was stationed in Shanggui, and he appointed Yang Nandi, Yang Wusou's son, as the General of the Southward Expedition. In the fifth year of Jianxing, Yang Wusou died, and Yang Nandi inherited his position.
They split their forces into two divisions, with Yang Nandi as the Leftful King stationed in Xiabian, and Yang Jian as the Rightful King stationed in Hechi. In the fourth year of Taixing of Emperor Yuan, Liu Yao launched an attack on Yang Nandi, and he and Yang Jian fled to Jinshou, and surrendered to Li Xiong. After Liu Yao withdrew his troops, they returned to Chouchi.
In the year 334 AD, Nan Di died, and his son Zi Yi succeeded him, claiming the titles of Commissioner, General Long Xiang, Prince of the Left, and Duke of Xia Bian. At the same time, he appointed Jian Tuzi Pan as Commissioner, Champion General, Prince of the Right, and Duke of He Chi. In 335 AD, they sent envoys to the Jin Dynasty to pay tribute. The Jin Dynasty appointed Zi Yi as General of the Southern Expedition and Jian as General of the Eastern Expedition. Three years later, Zi Yi's cousin Chu Sha killed Zi Yi, seized his territory and army, declared himself Duke of Chou Chi, and surrendered to Shi Hu. Later, Chu Sha sent envoys to the Eastern Jin Dynasty to pay tribute. In 348 AD, the Eastern Jin Dynasty appointed Chu Sha as Commissioner, General of the Southern Expedition, Inspector of Yongzhou, Colonel Who Suppresses the Qiang, and Duke of Chou Chi. Chu Sha's son Guo was appointed General Who Guards the East and Prefect of Wudu. In 355 AD, Chu Sha was renamed Duke of Tian Shui by the Jin Dynasty. In 356 AD, during her service at the court, Liang Shi Wang, the daughter-in-law of Song Nu, unexpectedly assassinated Chu Sha. Guo, Chu Sha's son, with his men killed Liang Shi Wang and Song Nu, and reclaimed his throne. General Huan Wen recommended Guo to be General of the Northern Defense, Inspector of Qinzhou, and Colonel Who Suppresses the Qiang, while Guo's son An was appointed General Who Inspires Awe and Prefect of Wudu. In 357 AD, Guo's uncle Yang Jun killed Guo and declared himself king, while An escaped to Fu Sheng, and Yang Jun sent envoys to the court to pledge allegiance.
In the year 361 AD, the court appointed Yang Jun as the General Who Pacifies the West, the Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang, and the Duke of Chouchi. Four years later, Yang Jun passed away, and his son Shi succeeded him, receiving the titles of Champion General, Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang, Prefect of Wudu, and Duke of Chouchi. In the third year of the Tahe era of the Former Qin dynasty, Shi was promoted by the Jin dynasty to General Who Conquers the West and Governor of Qinzhou, while his brother Tong was appointed as General Who Pacifies the East and Prefect of Wudu. In the year 367 AD, Shi passed away, and Tong deposed Shi's son Zuan and declared himself king. Zuan, who was also called De, colluded with accomplices to murder Tong, then sent envoys to Emperor Jianwen to report the situation. Emperor Jianwen appointed Zuan as Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang, Governor of Qinzhou, and Duke of Chouchi. In the year 371 AD, Fu Jian sent Yang An, Fu Ya, and others to attack Zuan, captured his territory, and relocated his people to Guanzhong, leaving the land deserted for over a hundred acres. Later, Zuan was killed by Yang An.
After the death of Song Nu, his two sons Fonu and Fogou fled to the Guanzhong region. Fu Jian appointed Fonu as the Right General and Fogou as the Protector of the Yi tribes. Later, Fu Jian married his daughter to Fonu's son, Song Ding, who was appointed Minister and General of the Army.
In the year 373 AD, Fu Jian suffered a defeat in Huainan, resulting in chaos in the Guanzhong region. Song Ding loyally followed Fu Jian. After Fu Jian passed away, Song Ding escaped with his family to Longyou, then settled there in Licheng. Licheng was situated on the border of Xixian, about 120 li from Chouchi. He built a large warehouse there and stored a significant amount of grain. He also recruited numerous Yi tribes and commoners from the Jin dynasty, totaling over a thousand households. He self-styled himself as "General Who Gallops Like a Dragon, Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang, and Duke of Chouchi," and pledged his allegiance to Emperor Xiaowu of Jin. Emperor Xiaowu accepted his self-styled titles.
Song Ding once again requested Emperor Xiaowu of Jin to assign him Xixian County in Tianshui Commandery and Shanglu County in Wudu Commandery to establish Chouchi Commandery, and the emperor agreed. In the year 378 AD, Emperor Xiaowu of Jin appointed Song Ding as the General of State Assistance and Inspector of Qinzhou, and Song Ding also gave himself the title of "General Who Conquers the West." Later, he was promoted to Grand Commandant, Commander of the military affairs in Longyou, Grand General Who Assists the State, and appointed as a Palace Attendant with Equal Authority to the Three Offices, while retaining his previous positions of Colonel and Inspector. That year, he conquered Tianshui Commandery and Lueyang Commandery, thus gaining control of the entire Qinzhou territory, and proclaimed himself the "King of Longxi."
In the year 382 AD, Song Ding went to attack the Qiang tribal leader in Longxi, Qifoguanggui, but his army was defeated and Song Ding himself was killed. As Song Ding had no sons, his nephew Shengxian became the regent and continued to defend Chouchi, inheriting Song Ding's position and taking the titles of "Commissioner Who Holds Authority, General Who Conquers the West, Inspector of Qinzhou, Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang, and Duke of Chouchi." Song Ding was posthumously titled the Martial King. Shengxian divided the Di and Qiang people of the Four Mountains region into twenty tribes, each with a garrison to guard them, without creating any counties.
During the third year of the Long'an reign of Emperor An of Eastern Jin, Yang Sheng, the leader of Chouchi, sent envoys to the court to offer tribute and pledge allegiance. Emperor An was thrilled and immediately appointed him as the General of State Assistance and Colonel Who Pacifies the Qiang, also granting him the title of Duke of Chouchi, a major appointment! Later, in the third year of the Yuanxing reign, when Huan Xuan was in power in the Jin dynasty, Yang Sheng was further promoted to General Who Pacifies the North, Inspector of Liangzhou, and Colonel Who Guards the Western Tribes, with his rank continuing to rise.
In the first year of Yixi, there was some trouble. Yao Xing of Later Qin led his troops to attack Yang Sheng, who, feeling frightened, quickly sent his son Yang Nandang as a hostage to secure his own safety. Yao Xing sent the general Wang Min to attack the city. At this time, the Deputy of Liangzhou, Lv Ying, asked Yang Sheng for help. Yang Sheng sent troops to Jinkou. Wang Min realized the situation was unfavorable and withdrew his troops. After this, Yang Sheng's official position was promoted again. The court appointed him as Commander of Longyou, Grand General of the Westward Expedition, and bestowed upon him the title of Three Excellencies. This was a prominent official of the court! Around the same time, the Inspector of Yizhou, Mao Qu, fought against the Inspector of Liangzhou, Huan Xi, who served under Huan Xuan, and lost. He fled, leaving Hanzhong empty. Yang Sheng sent his nephew, who was the General of Pacification in the South, to guard Hanzhong. Three years later, the court appointed Yang Sheng as the Imperial Commissioner and Inspector of North Qin Province, giving him even more power. Later, Yang Sheng sent Fu Ning to serve as the Inspector of Liangzhou, replacing his nephew. In the ninth year, the Inspector of Liangzhou, Suo Miao, was stationed in the southern city, and Fu Ning finally returned. When Liu Yu became emperor, known as Emperor Gaozu of Song, Yang Sheng was promoted once again. He became the General of Chariots and Cavalry and was also appointed as a Palace Attendant. In the third year of Yongchu, Yang Sheng was titled King of Wudu, his son Yang Xuan was titled Crown Prince of Wudu, with the additional title of Former General; Yang Nandang became the Champion General; his nephew became the General of Pacification in the South. Yang Sheng held the title of King of Wudu for thirty years and passed away in the sixth month of the second year of Song Yuanjia, at the age of sixty-two. People referred to him privately as King Huiwen.
Yang Xuan, also known as Huang Mei, gave himself a multitude of official titles, just like his father Yang Sheng. He held positions such as Commander of the Military Forces in Longyou, Grand General of the Western Campaign, Governor of Qin Province, Prince of Wudu, and others, commanding respect. Even though he was a minority, he always used the era name "Yixi" of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Yang Xuan was very kind to people and was deeply loved by scholars and commoners. His younger brother Yang Fu, also known as the General of Annan, was talented in both civil and military affairs, with exceptional strategizing skills. However, Yang Xuan couldn't stand him. Three years later, due to Yang Fu's son committing murder, Yang Xuan took the opportunity to have Yang Fu killed. Emperor Song Ming later appointed Yang Xuan as Prefect, General of the Western Campaign, Commander of the Qiang Tribes, Governor of Northern Qin Province, and Prince of Wudu, changing to the era name "Yuanjia." Earlier on, Yang Sheng had advised Yang Xuan, "I am old now and should serve as a subject of the Jin Dynasty. You should serve the Emperor of the Song Dynasty well in the future." Therefore, Yang Xuan always followed his father's wishes. Later, the court posthumously promoted Yang Sheng to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, with his other positions unchanged. In the sixth month of the sixth year, Yang Xuan passed away, and people privately referred to him as King Xiao Zhao. Yang Fu struggled with the responsibilities, so to protect the family, he changed his name to Qiang Nu, declared himself king, and assumed titles such as Prefect, Commander of the Yong and Liang Regions, Governor of Qin Province, Commander of the Qiang Tribes, and Prince of Wudu. Emperor Taizu later granted him additional titles, appointing him as General of Champions, Governor of Qin Province, and Prince of Wudu. Nine years later, Yang Fu's official positions were further elevated, being appointed as General of the Western Campaign, with the titles of Prefect, Commander, and Colonel added. Yang Fu also appointed Bao Zong as General of the Southern Garrison, stationed in Dangchang; and appointed his second son Shun as General of the Eastern Garrison, Governor of Qin Province, charged with defending Shanggui. Bao Zong later conspired to attack Yang Fu, but the conspiracy was discovered, and he was arrested.
Earlier, two refugees, Xu Muzhi and Hao Huizhi, fled to Nandang and both changed their surnames to Sima. Muzhi called himself Fei Long and Huizhi called himself Kangzhi, claiming to be relatives of the Jin dynasty royal family. Later, Kangzhi was killed. Ten years later, Nandang heard that the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Daoji, did not know how to win over the people of Shu, so he sent military support to Fei Long, allowing him to wreak havoc in Shu as a bandit. Liu Daoji eventually defeated Fei Long and executed him. At that time, the Governor of Liangzhou, Zhen Fahua, was not following the law, so Emperor Taizu sent the Governor Xiao Sihua to replace him. Before Xiao Sihua arrived in Liangzhou, Nandang launched an attack on Liangzhou with his troops, captured Zhang Fan, the Prefect of Jinchang, and breached Baima. Zhen Fahua sent his officers Lu Anqi and Shen Fahui to resist, but both ended up fleeing. Nandang then sent General Jianzhong Zhao to attack Jiameng and captured Fan Yanlang, the Prefect of Jinshou. In November of that year, Zhen Fahua fled from Liangzhou to Yangchuan, which allowed Nandang to take control of the Hanzhong region. He appointed Fu Su, a member of the Di tribe, as the Governor of Liangzhou, but deemed him too brutal and had him executed, appointing Sima Zhaowen as the new Governor of Liangzhou. In the first month of the tenth year, Xiao Sihua sent Sima Xiaocheng to lead the vanguard in marching to quell the rebellion, quickly restoring order in Liangzhou, as noted in the "Biography of Sihua." In April, Nandang sent a letter of apology, stating:
I heard that all living beings come from the same source, but prosperity and poverty, as well as life and death, are distinctly different, and encounters vary greatly. Even when blessings come from above, there's truly no way to repay them. A person as arrogant as I am, separated from the sages by an immense distance, can still hold a heart of gratitude. How much more should we remember to be grateful in the relationships between rulers and subjects, and between fathers and sons! I have always wanted to be loyal and follow your teachings, but my sincere intentions were misunderstood, and instead brought about great slander. The Inspector of Liangzhou, Zhen Fahui, falsely accused me of sending Sima Feilong to disturb the western Shu. His accusations are simply not true, and the incident happened a thousand miles away. I have no way to prove my innocence, and the rumors are escalating with each passing day. Rather than passively accepting it, I might as well just fade away. The civil and military officials harbor deep resentment towards me, and I feel utterly powerless.
I dispatched the officer Yao Daoxian with a letter of explanation to the Inspector of Liangzhou, Xiao Sihua, and later sent him to surrender to the court. However, when Yao Daoxian reached the western city, he was killed by the garrison, his luggage was looted, and not even the sun could shine through. Frightened, Zhen Fahui quickly fled, and I immediately led the army back, without committing any offenses, leaving only a small number of soldiers to guard and wait for the court's instructions. It took several months for the court's army to finally arrive. The soldiers I had left behind were few in number and weak, fearing for their own safety, so I sent light troops to meet the court's army. Unfortunately, at this time, the refugees from Qin land missed their homeland and wanted to return, and I was completely unable to stop them due to my negligence in border defense, which led to this oversight.
My ancestors have been frontier generals for generations, receiving imperial favor. Our family is the foundation of the dynasty's governance, always following the will of heaven. I did not pursue my achievements and rewards just for today. How could I destroy my previous merits for the sake of reputation? The truth is clear; I believe the emperor is wise and will surely see through the truth. I have acted foolishly and violated the principles of loyalty and righteousness, causing a disturbance in the court. I bear a heavy burden of guilt, and I should be sentenced to death. I am in a remote place with no way to appeal, so I can only send Qi Liang, who is also the Chief Historian, to await the court's decision and present the eleventh talisman you granted me, waiting for the emperor's decree.
It is said that in the past, Emperor Zhu (Zhu Yuanzhang) felt that although Yang Nandang was a border barbarian, his attitude was sincere; he took the initiative to admit his mistake and show repentance. So he issued an imperial edict saying, "Yang Nandang's memorial is well written. Seeing his repentance, I will pardon him and return the land and property confiscated earlier."
Twelve years later, Yang Nandang sent his younger brother Yang Baozong to guard Tongting. As a result, Yang Baozong, being timid, fled at the first news of war and directly joined Tuoba Tao of Northern Wei. Tuoba Tao saw his talent and immediately appointed him to many positions, such as the Commander-in-Chief of Longxi, General of the West, Household Department Supervisor, Inspector of Qiang, King of Southern Qin, and sent him to attack Shanggui. Yang Nandang's son, Yang Shun, could not defend the city and had to retreat, later being appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou to defend Xiaobian.
In the thirteenth year of March, Yang Nandang felt powerful and declared himself the Great King of Qin, changed his reign title to "Jianyi," appointed his wife as queen, his son as crown prince, and established a bunch of official positions, projecting an image of being equal to the court. However, on the surface, he still obeyed and paid his tributes without fail.
Seventeen years later, his territory was struck by a severe drought, followed by a series of disasters. It seemed the heavens could no longer stand by, so they directly demoted Yang Nandang from the King of Daqin to the King of Wudu. Truly, fortunes change!
In October, the entire country was in a panic as southern rebel forces advanced on Shu. Fearing an attack from the army in Hanzhong, the court sent General Fu Chong to defend Dongluo. However, Governor Liu Daozhen of Liangzhou decisively defeated Fu Chong.
In November, Nandang captured Jiashan and took Jinshou Prefect Shen Tan prisoner, then besieged Fucheng. Baixi Prefect Liu Daoyin defended the city, and after ten days of unsuccessful attempts to capture it, Nandang had to retreat.
In the second year of January, Emperor Taizu sent out General Longxiang Pei Fangming, Prince Zuo Jinyu General Liu Kangzu, and Rear Army Staff Liang Tan, leading three thousand elite soldiers and mobilizing troops from Jingzhou and Yongzhou to jointly attack Nandang, under the unified command of Liu Daozhen. In May, Pei Fangming and his troops arrived in Hanzhong, advancing rapidly. Liu Daozhen reached Wuxing and captured the territory of self-proclaimed General Fu Long. Anxi Staff Officer Wei Jun and General Jiang Daosheng attacked Bian from another direction, while Liu Daozhen also sent Sima Xiahou Mu to attack Baishui from the west. Nandang's son, Yongzhou Governor Fu Shun and General Yang Liang, couldn't withstand the assault and fled.
In June, Pei Fangming arrived in Langao and encountered the formidable General Fuyide and General Fuhongzu of Zhenbei, who had more than 10,000 troops ready to fight to the death. However, Pei Fangming defeated them; Fuhongzu was killed on the spot, and over 2,000 soldiers were killed, while Fuyide escaped. On the Tian Shui side, a man named Ren Yuzhi surrendered to the court with his soldiers. The son of Fuyide, the Grand General Fuhuo, was repairing the city when Pei Fangming sent troops to attack him with Ren Yuzhi, resulting in a great victory. Unable to escape, Fuyide fled with his wife and children to Suolu, where he ultimately met his end. Assistant General Lu Shangqi pursued Fuyide to Hanxia, capturing General Yang Baozhi and Marquis Yang Hutou alive.
At first, Fuyide sent his second son, Fuhu, to serve as the General of Zhen Nan and the Governor of Yizhou, tasked with guarding Yinpings. Hearing that his father had fled, Fuhu also fled to Xiabian. Pei Fangming sent his son Pei Su to persuade him to surrender, resulting in Fuhu's capture, followed by his beheading in Jiankang City.
Chouchi was subdued. The court appointed the Assistant Marshal Hu Chong as the Dragon Cavalry General, Governor of Qinzhou, and Commander of the Pingqiang, to guard Chouchi. Unexpectedly, the Suolu leader Tuoba Tao dispatched Grand General Tuxi Bi and General of Pingbei Tuoba Qi with an army of 20,000 to besiege Hu Chong. In February, Hu Chong arrived at Zhuoshui, 80 miles from Chouchi, and encountered Tuoba Qi and his men, resulting in a crushing defeat, where Hu Chong was killed in battle and the remaining soldiers fled back to Hanzhong.
In March, Sima Fuda of the former Eastern regime and the Western Expedition officer Reng Fei among others rose up, supported by the younger brother of Baozong, Yang Wende, as the leader. Tuoba Qi heard that someone had rebelled and fled in fear. Fuda pursued Tuoba Qi and killed him, then occupied Baiya, successfully pacifying the various rebellions. Yang Wende appointed himself an official, claiming to be the Commissioner of the Imperial Edict, Commander-in-Chief of the Qin, He, and Liang provinces, Grand General of the Western Campaign, Governor of the Qin, He, and Liang provinces, Prefect of the Qiang, Duke of Qouchi. He also sent a messenger to report this news to the court.
The Emperor issued a decree: "Recently, the Prefect of Qouchi reported that the enemy was rampant, occupying Qouchi. Our soldiers have suffered heavy casualties, and the people are displaced. I have been deeply concerned about this matter. The Yang family has served loyally for generations, and this time he truly showed his gratitude to the country, leading the militia to quickly eliminate the enemy. Wherever the battle flag pointed, the enemy was defeated, and the border has been restored to peace. His contributions are indeed remarkable! I am very pleased! Quickly send someone to commend him, convey my decree, and instruct the Governor of Liangzhou, Shen Tan, to provide the necessary support."
The emperor issued another imperial decree: "We must commend his merits, as stipulated by the country. Rewards must be swift and not delayed. Yang Wende has great ambitions, excels in both civil and military affairs, seized the opportunity to counterattack, made significant contributions, voluntarily confessed to the court, offered captives to the court, and did not let the enemy occupy any land. This is truly impressive! His merits are remarkable, and I am very pleased! The ancestors of the Yang family have meritorious service to the country, loyal for generations. Yang Wende should carry on his ancestors' legacy and enjoy honor and wealth. I hereby appoint him as Governor-General, Cavalry Attendant, Commander of the Military Affairs of the Northern Qin and Yong Provinces, Grand General of the Westward Expedition, Colonel of the Pacification of the Qiang, and Governor of Northern Qin Province, and confer upon him the title of Wudu King!" Ren Fu's grandfather, Qi, uncle, Zuo, and father, Zong, all served in the Yang family and held the position of Consultation Attendant. Ren Fu is very capable, and Yang Wende appointed him as the Left Sima. Well, this fellow Wende received the imperial order to go to Qalucheng to serve as a soldier. As a result, in the twenty-fifth year of his reign, he was defeated by enemy forces and had no choice but to flee to Hanzhong. At that time, the Emperor was stationed in Xiangyang and brought Wende back to the capital. Because he lost the city, Wende was dismissed from office, and his title and fief were also deprived. Two years later, in the twenty-seventh year, the imperial army launched another northern campaign against the enemy, and Wende was appointed as the Assistant General, leading troops westward from Hanzhong, instilling fear in Qinzhou and Longzhou. As a result, Wende's kinsman, Yang Gao, along with the Di people from Yinping and Pingwu, occupied Tanglu Bridge and blocked Wende's passage. Wende, known for his temper, launched a surprise water attack and routed Yang Gao, who fled to seek refuge with the Qiang.
Wen De pursued relentlessly, chasing all the way to Liyangling. Yang Gao fled to the home of A Ruo, an enemy of the Qiang people. In the end, Wen De caught up with him and executed him on the spot, thus completely pacifying the Yinping and Pingwu regions. Afterwards, the court sent Wen De to campaign against the Di people at Dantidi, but unfortunately, he was defeated and was captured by Liu Xiuzhi, the Governor of Liangzhou. He was sent to Jingzhou, where he was assigned to continue his military service in Qialu City under his ancestral brother. This was not the end of his troubles, as the Governor of Jingzhou, King Yixuan of Nanjun, instigated a rebellion. Wen De refused to join him in rebellion and was subsequently executed. Later, the Emperor posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General Conquering the Barbarians and Governor of Qinzhou.
In the year 455 AD, the court appointed Yang Yuanhe as General Conquering the Barbarians and Yang Tou as General of State Affairs. Yang Yuanhe inherited the rightful position of the Yang family, and many Di people wanted to proclaim him as their leader. However, he was young, weak, and struggled to command his subordinates. His mother, wife, and younger brother were all taken captive by the enemy. On the other hand, Yang Tou remained steadfastly loyal and obedient to the court, no matter the circumstances.
The court has yet to formally determine Yang Yuanhe's status, and the various tribes have not selected a new leader. The provincial governor of Yongzhou, Wang Xuanmo, wrote to the court, saying: "I was tasked with sending envoys to reach out to Yang Yuanhe and Yang Tou, along with gifts and food supplies. I sent the army's deputy staff officer, Lu Zhizong, to deliver letters and gifts, and I also sent another envoy to accompany Lu Zhizong. Yang Tou told Lu Zhizong that for the sake of the country, he had sacrificed everything, with his mother, wife, and brother captured, yet he set aside family ties to diligently defend the border, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and devotion, yet he has not received recognition from the court. If Yang Yuanhe is to inherit the leadership position of the Yang clan, he should be given the title of king; if he is too young and unable to bear the responsibility, then another person should be selected. Recently, there has been chaos both inside and outside the court, with ongoing conflicts between the Han and minority ethnic groups, all arising from this issue. I have thoroughly assessed Yang Tou's performance since the Yuanjia era, and he has indeed shown commendable loyalty, sacrificing personal ties. The Di and Qiang tribes are far from the court and border the captives; if they are pressured too much, they may rebel, and if neglected, they will harbor resentment. From the conversations between Yang Tou and the envoys, he does not seek to become the Duke of Chouchi; he merely hopes the court will appoint him as the Acting Envoy in Western Qinzhou. In my view, to safeguard the Hanchuan area and prevent future issues, Yang Tou is indeed capable; granting him control over the desolate land of four thousand households is entirely warranted. Yang Yuanhe is still too young to be entrusted with significant responsibilities. In a few years, he will surely be ready to inherit the family legacy; at that time, it will not be too late to appoint him. If his abilities fall short, then Yang Tou should assume this position. If Qalu falls, the Hanchuan region will also struggle to stand on its own." However, the emperor did not agree with his suggestion. Later, the court named Yang Yuanhe as the King of Wudu and allowed him to establish his capital in Baishui, but he was unable to manage the situation and ultimately fled to the captives.
During the Tang Dynasty, my younger cousin, Seng Si, became a soldier, then regained his official position and returned to guard the border at Qialu. He was appointed as the General of Ning Shuo and the Prefect of Qiuchi. Later, Emperor Taizong issued a decree in the second year of Taishi, stating: "Seng Si has been guarding the western border for a long time, showing generations of loyalty. He should be commended and held up as a model. He is promoted to General of Champions, Governor of North Qin Prefecture, and Prince of Wudu, while retaining his current position." Three years later, he was further promoted and put in charge of military affairs in the North Qin and Yong provinces, promoted to General of the Expeditionary Forces and Colonel, while retaining his title as Prefect. After Seng Si's death, his brother Weng Du succeeded him in his position.
In the first year of Taiyu, Weng Du was appointed as General of Dragon Cavalry, Prefect of Lueyang, and Prince of Wudu, with the title of General of Dragon Cavalry later changed to General of Ning Shuo. In the fourth year of Emperor Yuanhui, he was further appointed as Commander of Military Affairs in North Qin Province, Inspector of Pacification of the Qiang, and Governor of North Qin Province, while retaining his title as General. Weng Du dispatched his brother, General Wen Hong of Dragon Cavalry, to launch an attack on Qiuchi and defeated the defending army at Langao.
In the first year of Shundi, the Emperor decreed: "Reward and punishment must be clear to demonstrate the national system. The achievements of Weng Du and Wen Hong should be recorded in history. Weng Du has served on the border for generations of his family, showing loyalty, reliability, and exceptional ability; Wen Hong has actively cooperated, personally led the troops, secured significant victories, and made significant contributions. Therefore, Weng Du is appointed as Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in North Qin and Yong provinces, and General of the Expeditionary Forces, while retaining his positions as Inspector and Colonel; Wen Hong is appointed as Assistant General, Prefect of Lueyang." That same year, the enemies breached Qialu, and Weng Du died in battle. He was posthumously honored with his original titles and appointed as a Cavalier Attendant. Wen Hong succeeded his brother's position, appointed as Commander of Military Affairs in North Qin Province, Inspector of Pacification of the Qiang, Governor of North Qin Province, inherited the title of Prince of Wudu, while retaining his position as General, and then retreated to Wuxing.
Speaking of this person, named Meng Xun, sounds impressive, but in fact his ancestors were Hu people from Zhangye Linsong Lu River. Among the Xiongnu, there are two official positions, Left Qie Qu and Right Qie Qu, which were held by Meng Xun's ancestors. Among the Qiang people, there was a formidable leader known as "Da", so Meng Xun's family adopted "Qie Qu" as their surname by adding "Da" in front, becoming the surname "Da Qie Qu". They have lived near the Lu River for generations and are renowned local strongmen. Meng Xun's great-grandfather was Hui Zhonggui, his grandfather was Zhe, both famous warriors. His father was named Fa Hong, inherited his title, and was later appointed as Zhongtian Guard by the Fu dynasty. Meng Xun inherited his father's military power, was skilled at commanding troops in battle, and was very shrewd. He kept a clear count of his soldiers and horses, so he earned the respect of all the Hu tribes. Later, Lu Guang declared himself king in Liangzhou and let Meng Xun lead the troops himself, and also appointed his uncle Luo Qiu as the Prefect of Xiping. In the spring of the third year of Long'an during the reign of Emperor An, Lu Guang sent his son, the General of Zhen Dong, Lu Zuan, along with Luo Qiu to confront Qifu Qian Gui of Fuan, but they were defeated by Qian Gui. Lu Guang, in his anger, executed Luo Qiu. In April, Meng Xun wanted to transport Luo Qiu's body back for burial, but seized the opportunity to instigate a rebellion with over 10,000 followers, killed the guards in Linsong, and then camped in Jinshan. In May, Lu Guang sent Lu Zuan to attack Meng Xun, resulting in Meng Xun's forces being defeated. Meng Xun then escaped into the mountains with six or seven followers, and his family was scattered.
At this time, Meng Xun's brother Nancheng was guarding the west side of Jinchang with troops. When he heard that Meng Xun had rebelled, he returned with his troops and killed the Administrator of Jiuquan, Di Teng, and supported the Administrator of Jiankang, Duan Ye, as their leader. Duan Ye bestowed upon himself the titles of Dragon Cavalry General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Jiankang, and appointed Nancheng as the General Who Aids the State. Nancheng and the Administrator of Jinchang, Wang De, besieged Zhangye together, captured the city, and Duan Ye took control of Zhangye. Meng Xun joined Duan Ye with his troops, who appointed him as the General Who Defends the West and Administrator of Linchi, and also made Wang De the Administrator of Jiuquan. Shortly after, Meng Xun was appointed as the Administrator of Zhangye.
In April of the third year, Duan Ye sent Meng Xun with ten thousand troops to attack the forces of the Grand Minister Chunyu in Xijun. They fought for about ten days without success. Later, Meng Xun devised a plan to flood the city, forcing all the surrendering forces to surrender, and he captured all of them. At that time, Wang De betrayed Duan Ye and declared himself the Inspector of Hezhou. Duan Ye sent Meng Xun to the west to punish him. Wang De set fire to the city and escaped with his defeated troops to the Administrator of Jinchang, Tang Yao. Meng Xun pursued them to Shatou, decisively defeated Wang De, captured his family and followers, and returned victorious. After that, Meng Xun was promoted to Administrator of Xi'an, retaining his military title.
In May of the fourth year, Meng Xun and Nancheng plotted to kill Duan Ye, but Nancheng disagreed. Meng Xun then turned around and falsely accused Nancheng in front of Duan Ye, which led to Duan Ye executing Nancheng. Meng Xun then told his subordinates: "Duan Ye is too cruel. He killed General Who Aids the State Nancheng for no reason. I will take revenge for Nancheng!" Thus, Meng Xun mobilized his forces to attack Zhangye, killed Duan Ye, proclaimed himself the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and changed the era name to Yong'an, marking the beginning of his rule.
In the same month, Dunhuang Prefect Li Hao also rebelled, self-proclaiming as the Grand General, the Colonel of the Western Hu, and the Governor of Shazhou, while still retaining the position of Prefect. He even changed the era name to Gengzi and confronted Meng Xun. In the winter of that year, Li Hao sent Tang Yao and General Yingyang Song Yao to attack Jiuquan, capturing the Prefect of Jiuquan, Da Qie Qu Yisheng, who, interestingly, was Meng Xun's uncle!
Lü Guang died, and his son Lü Zuan succeeded him. However, in the first year of his reign, he was overthrown by his cousin Lü Long. Yao Xing attacked Liangzhou, and Lü Long surrendered to Yao Xing. Meng Xun also sent someone to see Yao Xing, who appointed him as General of the West, Governor of Shazhou, and Marquis of the Western Sea. In February of the second year of his reign, Meng Xun and the Xiping Hu Tu Fa Nu Tan attacked Liangzhou together but were defeated by Lü Long. In October, Tu Fa Nu Tan attacked Lü Long again. In the third month of the third year of his reign, Lü Long, unable to withstand the pressure from both Meng Xun and Tu Fa Nu Tan, sent his brother Lü Chao to ask Yao Xing for help. In July, Yao Xing sent General Qi Nan to meet Lü Long. Lü Long told Qi Nan that they should first attack Meng Xun. Meng Xun, fearing the situation, sent his brother as a hostage and offered many treasures to Qi Nan, which finally put an end to the conflict. Yao Xing ultimately appointed General Wang Shang as the Inspector of Liangzhou before leaving.
In January of the year 405, Li Hao was promoted and suddenly became the Grand General, Grand Commander, Governor of Liangzhou, and Protector of the Qiang, as well as being titled the Duke of Liang, enjoying immense prestige! By May, he had moved his office to Jiuquan. At this time, that sly Yao Xing secretly supported Nu Tan to become the Inspector of Liangzhou and stationed General Wang Shang in Guzang, clearly intending to cause trouble.
In September 406 AD, Meng Xun suddenly attacked Li Hao, reaching Anmi, just sixty miles from Jiuquan City. Li Hao finally realized what was happening and quickly led his troops into battle, only to be defeated by Meng Xun and retreated back to the city. Meng Xun did not pursue him and withdrew. In 409 AD, Meng Xun breached Nantan's defenses, causing Nantan to flee to Ledu to hide. At this point, Jiao Lang from Wuwei rushed to Guzang, self-proclaiming as the Grand General of the Flying Cavalry, and actually joined Li Hao. In 411 AD, Meng Xun attacked Jiao Lang, killed him, occupied Guzang, declared himself Grand Commander, Grand General, and King of Hexi, changed the era name to Xuanshi, and appointed his son Meng Zhengde as the crown prince, indicating his ambition to become king.
In May 418 AD, Li Hao passed away, and his son Li Xin ascended to the throne. In June, Li Xin led his troops to attack Meng Xun, reaching Jiankang. The Mongols resisted his attack, which forced Li Xin to retreat. Meng Xun's forces pursued and defeated Li Xin's army at Xizhijian, resulting in the deaths of over four thousand soldiers. Li Xin then regrouped his remaining forces, strengthened the defense of Jiankang City, and withdrew his troops after stationing troops to defend the city.
In 419 AD, Meng Xun sent envoys to the Jin Dynasty court, expressing his submission. The Jin court appointed Meng Xun as the Governor of Liangzhou. Later, after the founding emperor took the throne, Li Xin was appointed as Commissioner, Commander of Gaochang, Dunhuang, Jinchang, Jiuquan, Xihai, Yumen, and Kanquan, Protector-General of the Qiang, Grand General of the Western Expedition, and Lord of Jiuquan. Those titles certainly sound impressive!
In July of the year 420 AD, Meng Xun launched an attack eastward, while Li Xin took the opportunity to attack Zhangye. Meng Xun retreated westward, and Li Xin followed suit, but was eventually chased by Meng Xun to Linze, where Li Xin and his two brothers were killed. Meng Xun then continued to attack Jiuquan and captured it. Li Xin's brother, Li Xun, the Prefect of Dunhuang, occupied Dunhuang and declared himself Grand General. In October, Meng Xun sent his son Meng Zhengde to attack Li Xun, but he was unsuccessful. In January of the year 422 AD, Meng Xun personally led troops to build a long dike, diverted water to flood the city, and fought for several days but still failed to capture it. By March, the generals under Li Xun, Song Cheng and Hong Ju, surrendered the city, and in despair, Li Xun committed suicide. With this, the Li family was utterly annihilated. Now, King Bilong of Shanshan came to pay tribute, and all the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions came to pay homage, demonstrating the great power of Meng Xun!
Emperor Gaozu appointed Meng Xun as the Imperial Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, Commander of all military forces in Liangzhou, Grand General, Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Zhangye, one title after another, which was quite impressive! In December, the Prefect of Jinchang, Tang Qi, rebelled, and the Emperor sent Zhengde to attack him.
In March of the first year of Jingping, Tang Qi was finally captured after fleeing to Yiwu. In August, the Rui Rui tribe came to raid, and Meng Xun sent Zhengde to confront them, but Zhengde underestimated the enemy, leading to his defeat and death in battle. Meng Xun was very saddened and designated his second son Xingguo as his successor. That same year, Meng Xun was promoted again, gaining several more titles, including Palace Attendant, Commander of all military forces in Liang, Qin, He, and Sha provinces, Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Commander of the Central Guard against the Xiongnu, Commandant of the Western Barbarians, Governor of Liangzhou, and was also granted the title of King of Hexi, while retaining his previous titles.
In the first year of the Yuanjia era of Emperor Taizu, Qifo Chipan of Fu Han led troops out of the Diaoqu Valley, attacked Baicaoling in Hexi, occupied Linsong County, and took away Meng Xun's brother Chengdu, nephew Riti, and others. Three years later, Meng Xun's title was changed from General of the Valiant Cavalry to General of Chariots and Cavalry. His son Xingguo sent a request to the court for the "Book of Changes" and several Confucian classics. Emperor Taizu generously granted him a total of 475 volumes! Meng Xun also requested a copy of the "Investigations into the Supernatural" from Wang Hong, the Minister of Works, who gladly obliged.
In the sixth year, Meng Xun personally led a campaign against Fu Han. By this time, Qifo Chipan was already dead, but his son Maoman defeated Meng Xun, captured Xingguo, and killed three thousand of Meng Xun's soldiers! In order to redeem Xingguo, Meng Xun gave Maoman thirty thousand hu of grain, but Maoman still refused to release him. Ultimately, Meng Xun had no choice but to designate Xingguo's brother Puti as his heir, a decision the court was still unaware of. In the seventh year, the court appointed Xingguo as Champion General and Crown Prince of Hexi. In April of the same year, the Western Xianbei leader Helian Ding was defeated by Tuoba Tao and fled to Shanggui. In November, Maoman heard that Helian Ding had failed and fled east with his family and Xingguo, intending to move to Shanggui.
In the first month of the eighth year, they arrived at Nan'an, where Helian Ding's forces intercepted and defeated Maoman, killing him and rescuing Xingguo. In April, to evade Tuoba Tao, Helian Ding attempted to cross Hexi to attack Meng Xun. In May, he led his troops to the Zhicheng Gorge, started crossing the river, but before he could reach halfway, he was intercepted and captured by Mugui of the Murong tribe, with Xingguo also suffering serious injuries in the battle and dying a few days later.
Bodhi served as the champion general for nine years and was the Prince of Hexi. In April of the tenth year of his reign, Meng Xun passed away at the age of sixty-six. People privately honored him posthumously as King Wuxuan. As Bodhi was still young, Meng Xun's third son Mao Qian, then the governor of Jiuquan, was unanimously elected to inherit Meng Xun's title and position.
In the eleventh year, Mao Qian wrote to the court, saying, "I have heard that the highest achievement is to benefit the people, and without being recorded in history, one cannot be remembered for generations. A title should reflect one’s true achievements, and without a posthumous title, one cannot have a proper legacy. My father Meng Xun recovered Liangzhou City in the west, bestowing his grace upon his descendants, pacifying rebellions, and bringing peace to the border regions. He lived in a prosperous era, as a loyal minister of the Great Song Dynasty, his title spanned nine regions, enjoying supreme glory, with outstanding achievements and unwavering loyalty. He passed away peacefully, yet he lacked a formal posthumous title to honor his achievements. Despite his significant contributions, he did not receive the recognition he deserved. As his son, I am deeply saddened and uneasy about this. I have consulted the 'Laws of Posthumous Titles': pacifying rebellions is referred to as 'Wu', and understanding principles as 'Xuan'. My late father pacified rebellions in the Hexi region, with remarkable achievements that perfectly align with these two titles. Therefore, I respectfully request that he be posthumously honored as King Wuxuan. If the court grants this request and records it in history, it would be a comfort to my father’s spirit in the afterlife, and we can fulfill our wishes."
The emperor issued an edict: "General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand General of the Army, Governor of the Four Provinces of Qin, He, Sha, and Liang, Commander of Military Affairs, General of the Guards of the Xiongnu, Colonel of the Western Barbarians, Governor of Liangzhou, and King of Hexi, Meng Xun, excelling in both civil and military achievements, who came from afar to the court and has always been loyal and displayed outstanding military talents, unfortunately passed away at a young age, causing me great sorrow. I will dispatch special envoys to offer my condolences and posthumously title him as King Wuxuan. His son, Mao Qian, has inherited his father's legacy and has shown exceptional abilities. He should be given an important position at court and continue to develop the foundation of the Hexi region. He is hereby appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Imperial Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs of the Four Provinces of Liang, Qin, He, and Sha, Grand General of the Western Expedition, General of the Guards of the Xiongnu, Colonel of the Western Barbarians, Governor of Liangzhou, and King of Hexi."
Zhao Feipu from Hexi was quite formidable, particularly adept at fortune-telling and selecting auspicious dates. In the fourteenth year of his reign, Mao Qian presented many things to the emperor, including a collection of one hundred fifty-four volumes of books, which included: "Zhou Shengzi" thirteen volumes, "Shiwulun" twelve volumes, "Summary of the Three Kingdoms" twenty volumes, "Common Questions" eleven volumes, "Thirteen Prefectures Records" ten volumes, "Wenjian" six volumes, "Four Biographies" four volumes, "Dunhuang Chronicles" ten volumes, "Liangshu" ten volumes, "Han Emperor De Biography" twenty-five volumes, "Lost Records" seven volumes, "Wei Bo" nine volumes, "Xie Ai Collection" eight volumes, "Ancient and Modern Characters" two volumes, "Mr. Chengqiu" three volumes, "Zhou Bi" one volume, "Emperor Wang Li Sanhe Chronicle" one volume, "Zhao Feipu Biography" and "Jiayin Yuan Calendar" one volume, "Confucius Praise" one volume. In addition to these, Mao Qian also requested the emperor to grant him dozens of other miscellaneous books, which the emperor graciously agreed to.
In the sixteenth year, in the intercalary month of August, Tuoba Tao led troops to attack Liangzhou. Maogian's nephew, Wannian, unexpectedly acted as an informant, which led to Maogian's capture. Maogian's brother, Anmi County Marquis Wuwei, held significant positions, including General of the West, Governor of Shazhou, Commander of all military affairs west of Jiankang, and Prefect of Jiuquan; his sixth brother, Yide, was also a high-ranking official, serving as General of the East, Governor of Qinzhou, Commander of all military affairs west of Danling, and Prefect of Zhangye. After Tuoba Tao captured Maogian, he sent troops to attack Yide, who abandoned the city and fled to his brother Wuwei. Wuwei and Yide then fled west with their families and the people, seeking refuge with their brother, the Prefect of Dunhuang, Tang Er. Tuoba Tao stationed troops in Wuwei, Jiuquan, and Zhangye, before withdrawing his forces.
In January of the seventeenth year, Wuwei left Tang Er to guard Dunhuang, while he and Yide led troops to attack Jiuquan, which they captured within three months. They then attacked Zhangye and Linsong, capturing over 40,000 households and then settling in Jiuquan. In May of the eighteenth year, Tang Er rebelled, so Wuwei left his brother Tianzhou to defend Jiuquan and joined Yide in fighting against Tang Er. Tang Er led tens of thousands into battle but suffered a major defeat, leading to his capture and execution, which returned Dunhuang to their control. In July, Tuoba Tao besieged Jiuquan. By October, the city faced famine, and tens of thousands were starving. Tianzhou resorted to killing his own wife to feed the soldiers. After running out of food, the city fell, and Tianzhou was captured and executed in Pingcheng. At that time, the enemy forces were formidable, and Wuwei feared he could not defend the city, so he planned to lead everyone west. In November, he sent his brother Anzhou with five thousand men to attack Shanshan, but they couldn't capture the city.
In April of the 19th year of the reign, Wu Hui led over ten thousand households to abandon Dunhuang and seek asylum in Anzhou. Before they arrived, King Shan of Shanshan fled with over four thousand households, leading to the occupation of Shanshan. At first, Tang Qi fled from Jinchang to Yiwu, and that year he attacked Gaochang, and Gaochang's lord, Que Shuang, sought help from the court. In August, Wu Hui left his son Fengzhou to guard Shanshan, while he himself went to support Gaochang. Before he could arrive, Rui Rui sent troops to rescue Gaochang, which led to Tang Qi's death. Tang Qi's army subsequently surrendered to Wu Hui. In September, Wu Hui sent General Wei Gu to launch a night attack on Gaochang, causing Que Shuang to flee to Rui Rui, and Wu Hui regained control of Gaochang.
Afterward, Wu Hui dispatched Chamberlain Fan Jun to the capital with memorials and gifts. Emperor Taizu issued a decree stating, "In previous years, those barbarian nomads were far too arrogant, invading the land of Liangzhou. Prince of Xihe, Maoyan, failed to defend it, leading to the fall of the cities and suffering of the people. The Maoyan family has served loyally for generations, and I am deeply saddened by this. His brother Wu Hui inherited his brother's will, defending the border, contacting neighboring countries, pacifying the people internally, always thinking of the court, paying tribute on time. He should be promoted and honored for his contributions. Therefore, he is hereby appointed as the Grand Commandant, Cavalry Commandant, Commander of the military forces of Liang, He, and Sha provinces, Grand General of the Westward Expedition, Leader of the Xiongnu Guards, Commandant of the Western Barbarians, Governor of Liangzhou, and Prince of Hexi!" Wu Hui passed away, and his brother Anzhou succeeded him in his title.
After twenty-one years, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The former Grand General and Prince of Hexi, An Zhou, who is the brother of Wuhui, possesses profound talent and strategic insight, and has been loyal and reliable for generations, inheriting his brother's legacy, and the people are all loyal to him. Although he has suffered defeats and been isolated, he has managed to rally the remnants of his forces and fend off foreign enemies to this day. He should be given greater honors to honor the fallen heroes. Let him assume the titles of Regional Governor, Cavalier in Regular Attendance, and Commander of military affairs in the provinces of Liang, He, and Sha, lead the Western Region's Commandant of Infantry, be the Governor of Liangzhou and the Prince of Hexi."
In the third year of the Daming era, An Zhou presented local specialties to the imperial court.
The historian commented: The Di tribe, relying on generations of accumulated wealth, and the Qiang and Hu tribes, relying on powerful military forces, have been rooted in the Hexi region for a hundred years, with their influence spread throughout the Hexi Corridor. Although they often harass the borders and consider themselves self-sufficient in their remote locations, their national strength is formidable, and they also pay relatively more attention to etiquette and culture. The Yang family's army is highly elite, the terrain is treacherous, and they are located on the border of Han territory. They frequently seize opportunities to raid the borders, often wavering in their tactics on the battlefield. They once advanced west to Baima, east to Huangjin, taking advantage of the victory of the Jin army in Taodi, causing chaos during the siege of Fucheng, attempting to annex the Heishui area, and even trying to occupy the Jingluo area. At that time, Jingzhou and Yingzhou were in danger, and Fancheng and Dengcheng were also frightened many times. The emperor was deeply concerned in the court, thinking of the bravery of the two generals Xin and Li, while Emperor Xuan of Qi led a few hundred soldiers as the vanguard to fight; the army advanced like a tidal wave, quickly sweeping the enemy, directly approaching the south city, pursuing the fleeing enemy, securing a decisive victory, and the battlefield was strewn with enemy corpses, as they fled to steep places, with the rest dying in the mountains, rivers, and lakes. Later, with the reputation of Emperor Xuan, the generals Pei and Liu made the enemy flags fall on the banks of the Zhuoshui River, and the strategic location of Langao was also lost. The Di tribe fled everywhere, the remaining embers flickered like fine threads, and the Liangzhou region was brought back to stability, and this stability has persisted to this day. This clearly illustrates the magnitude of their contributions and achievements!
Speaking of the southern and southwestern barbarians, most of them reside in the southern and southwestern regions of Jiaozhou, on islands located in the sea. The distances between them vary; some are several thousand miles apart, while others are even two to three thousand miles away. The exact travel distance by boat is uncertain. Although these foreign barbarians claim distances in miles, their measurements are not reliable.
Among the southern barbarians is the Linyi Kingdom. In the second year of Emperor Gaozu's Yongchu era, the King of Linyi, Fanyang Mai, sent envoys to pay tribute, and the emperor even granted him official titles. During the reign of Emperor Taizu in the Yuanjia era, the Linyi Kingdom began to threaten our territories of Jinan and Jiude. At that time, the governor of Jiaozhou, Du Hongwen, prepared to attack, but later learned of changes in Linyi, prompting him to halt his plans. In the seventh year of Yuanjia, Fanyang Mai sent envoys again, claiming that their relationship with Jiaozhou had soured and requesting forgiveness from the emperor. However, in the eighth year, he sent over a hundred warships to plunder Jiude and even invaded Sihui Port. At that time, the governor of Jiaozhou, Ruan Mizhi, sent three thousand men led by the team leader Xiang Daosheng to attack, but they were unsuccessful in capturing the city of Su, so they had to retreat. Linyi wanted to attack Jiaozhou and even asked the King of Funan for troops, but the King of Funan refused. In the tenth year of Yuanjia, Fanyang Mai sent envoys again to pay tribute and requested to be appointed as the governor of Jiaozhou, but the emperor stated that the journey was too far and declined the request. From the twelfth year to the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, the Linyi Kingdom sent tribute sporadically, yet the looting continued, and the quality of the tributes diminished over time.
It is said that the Emperor was quite unhappy with Yang Mai's arrogance, so in the 23rd year of his reign, he sent General Long Xiang and Tan Hezhi, the Governor of Jiaozhou, to attack him. He also ordered General Zong Que of the Grand Commandant's Office to supervise Tan Hezhi. Tan Hezhi sent his subordinate, Xiao Jingxian, the Prefect Marshal, as the vanguard, with Zong Que as his deputy. When Yang Mai heard that there would be a battle, he quickly sent a messenger with a letter, expressing his willingness to return the captured Rinan people and offering many treasures as a plea for forgiveness from the Emperor. The Emperor instructed Tan Hezhi: "If Yang Mai is truly sincere about surrendering, then agree to his terms."
The following February, the army arrived at Zhuwu Pass. Tan Hezhi sent Prefect Cao and Acting Governor of Rinan Jiang Zhongji, former bandit Prefect Jiao Hongmin, along with the Emperor's decree along with Bi Yuan, Gao Jingnu, and others to proclaim the court's grace. However, Yang Mai ended up capturing Jiang Zhongji, Gao Jingnu, and twenty-eight others, only letting Jiao Hongmin return to report the situation. He claimed he wanted to surrender, but in reality, he became even more cautious. Seeing this, Xiao Jingxian and his troops pressed on with the attack on Qusucheng. Yang Mai sent General Fan Fulong to hold the defense of Qusucheng and also sent reinforcements by land and water. Xiao Jingxian defeated the reinforcements and then focused his forces on the city assault. In May, they finally captured Qusucheng, beheaded Fan Fulong, and seized an unimaginable amount of gold and silver treasures.
The army pursued the retreating enemy and quickly captured Linyi. Yang Mai and his son were terrified and fled in a hurry. The treasures captured this time included many rare and exotic treasures. The emperor was very pleased and praised the soldiers for their achievements. He issued a decree saying, "Linyi relied on its dangerous terrain and has not been dealt with by us in a long time. General Long Xiang and Tan He, Governor of Jiaozhou, are loyal and talented. They were ordered to embark on an expedition, fighting across thousands of miles, with strict discipline, excelling in both civil and military matters, clean and selfless, leading the soldiers by example, which enabled them to achieve success overseas and deter foreign tribes. They should be duly rewarded; let them be close attendants in the court, appoint Long Xiang as Chancellor of the Yellow Gate, leading the Yueqi Colonel, and acting as General of Building Martial."
"Sima Xiao Jingxian of Long Xiang assisted the main general, fought bravely, charged into battle, destroyed the enemy's nest, and will certainly deter the barbarians and reassure the populace. Appoint him as Jiedu, Governor of Jiaozhou and Guangzhou, with military authority over Yulin and Ningpu, General of Establishing Might, and Governor of Jiaozhou." "Sima Tong Linzhi of Long Xiang and Prefect Fu Weizu of Jiuzhen died in battle; they are posthumously honored with the title of Attendant."
In the year 453 AD, in the second year of Emperor Xiaojian's reign in the Song Dynasty, Linyi sent Changshi Fan Longba to offer tribute, and the emperor granted him the title of General of Yangwu. In the year 458 AD, during the second year of the Song Dynasty, King Fan Shencheng of Linyi sent Changshi Fan Liu to offer tribute, bringing treasures including gold and silver vessels, as well as fragrant cloth. In the year 465 AD, in the first year of Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty, Linyi sent envoys once more to offer tribute, including various local specialties.
Many years ago, Tan Hezhi was sent to Yuzhang and participated in quelling a rebellion among the locals. Due to his contributions in suppressing the rebellion and helping the court resolve issues in Lin Yi, he was granted the title of Viscount of Yundu County and given four hundred households as his fief. Tan Hezhi, a native of Gaoping Jinxiang, was the son of Tan Ping. In the year 451 AD, during the reign of Emperor Wen of Song, he was promoted from the Left Guard of the Crown Prince's Guard to the Marshal of the Zhenjun Army, the Assistant General of the State, and the Prefect of Pengcheng. After a political upheaval that brought a new emperor to the throne, he became the General of the Western Army and the Inspector of Yongzhou. When Emperor Wen personally led a campaign to suppress a rebellion, he appointed Tan Hezhi as the Assistant General of the State to lead the garrison in Yuzhou, but Tan Hezhi chose to head south instead. After Emperor Wen's reign, he became the Right Guard General. In the year 453 AD, during the reign of Emperor Xiaojian, he was appointed as the Assistant General of the State and the Inspector of Yuzhou, but he did not take up the post and returned to his former role as Right Guard General, along with the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. Three years later, he was exiled to be the Inspector of Nanyanzhou, but because of his greed and womanizing, he brought women from prison to his official residence, leading to his dismissal and imprisonment. He died the same year and was posthumously appointed as the Left General, with the posthumous title of Xiangzi.
In the mountainous regions around Guangzhou, there were many Liren and Laoren tribes with a large and diverse population that often raided nearby areas, causing immense suffering for the locals. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Song, the renowned general Chen Tan from Hepu pledged loyalty to the court and was named Dragon Cavalry General. Four years later, Chen Tan asked the court to send troops to deal with the tribes that still hadn't submitted. He was appointed as the Prefect of Gaoxing while keeping his military title. The court then sent the former Prefect Zhu Ti, Fei Shen, and the Dragon Cavalry General Wu Qi to lead an army south to conquer the tribes, but they failed to achieve anything, ended up killing Chen Tan, and then rebelled themselves. Fei Shen was eventually imprisoned and died.
The Kingdom of Funan, during the 11th, 12th, and 15th years of Emperor Taizu's Yuanjia era (434, 435, and 438 AD), its king, Li Bamo, sent envoys to pay tribute. The Helotuo Kingdom of the Southwest Yi, in the 7th year of Emperor Taizu's Yuanjia era (430 AD), sent a delegation to submit a memorial. The memorial read: The emperor holds a particular reverence for the Three Jewels of Buddhism, so he actively constructs pagodas and temples across the nation. Behold, the cities are magnificent, grand, clean, and orderly, with roads extending in all directions, wide and flat. The temples and palaces stand in succession, resembling rolling mountains, majestic and mysterious, like a heavenly palace.
When the emperor travels, the procession is awe-inspiring, accompanied by countless guards, creating a truly grand spectacle. The city's inhabitants are dressed in beautiful, vibrant clothing; the marketplaces are bustling with goods and countless treasures. The social order is stable, with no incidents of robbery or theft occurring. Scholars gather to study; everyone is dedicated to their practice, promoting Buddhism and aiding all beings, like nourishing all things with spring rain.
The country is well connected, with envoys from various countries gathering. The Yangtze River flows vast, clear, and deep, nourishing countless creatures; impurities find it hard to persist. Yin and Yang are in harmony, and the weather is favorable; disasters have ceased to occur. "Whoever has such beauty, the capital of Great Song, the holy king is unparalleled, overseeing the prosperity of the country." The emperor possesses great virtues, and under his rule, the country thrives, and the people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The emperor is compassionate, caring for all his subjects as a parent would, treating everyone with equality, free from grudges, being charitable, helping the poor, and never seeking personal gain. His benevolence radiates like sunlight, bringing happiness and fortune to all, like the bright full moon.
The prime ministers and ministers of the court are all virtuous and loyal, wholeheartedly assisting the emperor, without any ulterior motives.
Your Majesty, you are my true master. I am the King of Heluo Kingdom, named Jiankai, now humbly kneeling before you. I hope the great king knows that my loyalty has existed for a long time, not just now. Because of the mountains and seas separating us, the journey is far, and I have never had the opportunity to come to see you in person, so today I have sent envoys to convey my sincere intentions. The two people I sent, one named Pin and the other named Potian, have now arrived before Your Majesty. I, Jiankai, am just a small king; who can truly understand my feelings? That's why I sent these two people to express my humble intentions. As long as my intentions are conveyed, I can rest in peace, even if I die.
I hope the great nation will show mercy to our distant little kingdom; we are also one of your border vassals. The people of your great nation have all benefited from your grace; I hope you can also be gracious to us, treating us as you do your subjects. Our country used to have a large population and strong national strength, without suffering from the bullying of other nations, but now it is weakening, and neighboring countries continue to invade us. I hope Your Majesty can extend your assistance to us, protect us, and allow us to trade, not prohibit it. If you can pity us, I hope you can send ships back to us regularly, so that other countries will not look down on us, and your reputation will spread far and wide, and your benevolent acts in aiding smaller nations will be celebrated. Sending these two people now, they are my trusted confidants, and I ask them to report to you; their words are absolutely reliable. I hope you will order Guangzhou to send ships back regularly, and not let the countries along the way rob our ships. I hope that from now on, you will allow us to send envoys to pay our respects annually. I now present some modest gifts; I hope you will graciously accept.
Heluo Kingdom, located in Shapo Island. In the seventh year of Yuanjia, they once sent envoys to present items such as diamond finger nails, red parrots, ancient beads from the Kingdom of Tianzhu and from the Kingdom of Yebu. Ten years later, the King of Heluo Kingdom, Pishabamo, submitted a memorial:
Emperor, you are the eternal victorious ruler! All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, forever happy and peaceful, possessing the wisdom of the three attainments and six supernatural powers, guiding the world in the right direction. This is the Tathagata, deserving of offerings and truly enlightened. You have left behind relics, built stupas and Buddha statues, adorning the land like the majestic Mount Sumeru; villages and towns orderly surrounding the capital; city walls and palaces towering magnificently like the Trayastrimsa Heaven, splendid and majestic; well-equipped armies capable of defeating enemies; a rich and peaceful land, free from disasters and troubles. You have inherited the aspirations of the previous kings, ruling the country with righteous laws, ensuring the people live in peace and prosperity, everything going smoothly. Your land lies in the shadow of snowy mountains, where snow water forms rivers that flow into the sea, nourishing all living beings; the eightfold nectar is pure and clear, winding its way until it reaches the sea, benefiting all the people. Among all countries, yours is the most prosperous and flourishing, known as the Shendan, the grand capital of the Great Song! You have inherited the legacy of the eternal victorious king, your virtues touch the heavens and earth, your blessings spread across the four seas, your wisdom and insight are limitless, like a celestial being among mortals, protecting the world, with boundless merits and great compassion, helping all beings, you are our esteemed eternal victorious ruler! Therefore, I bow deeply in utmost sincerity and respect! King Helodana Vishabha bows in homage. Later, he was overthrown by his own son, and thirteen years later, he submitted a memorial saying:
Greetings, Great Auspicious Sovereign! You are free from lust, anger, and delusion, showing compassion and mercy to all beings. Your virtues are said to be perfect, and even the Eightfold Celestial Dragon Legions pay their respects to you. Your radiance shines like the moon reflected on water, like the rising sun, illuminating all directions. Your purity is as white as snow, as clear as moonlight, and as vibrant as blooming flowers. Your presence is respected by all heavenly dragons and gods. Your Dharma teachings and the Sangha's practices have brought prosperity and peace to the people. The city rises majestically like Mount Gandhara, with many brave warriors guarding it. The buildings are magnificent, the streets are wide, and the people wear a variety of garments resembling celestial robes, making it the most auspicious and prosperous city among all nations.
O Lord of Yangzhou City, your compassion brings joy and purity to the people. Your Dharma teachings have spread far and wide, and your reputation is known to all. When people see you, they are filled with joy, like seeing the newborn moon or the lord of the world. All beings, human and celestial, bow in deep respect to you. I bow to you as if witnessing the great Arhat Mahamati bowing down to your feet, prostrating before you as if you were here, bowing deeply in greeting.
I inherited my ancestral legacy and enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity, but lost my country due to the contention of wicked usurpers. Now I fully pledge my loyalty to the emperor, seeking only to preserve my life. I have sent Pi Ren to greet you, intending to come personally to tell you of my experiences, but I fear the treacherous seas. I owe my survival to Pi Ren's loyalty and efforts, a debt I can hardly repay. Your country is so powerful, yet it has been taken by wicked usurpers; I have been expelled and exiled, filled with deep resentment and a thirst for revenge. I earnestly request that you permit Pi Ren to procure armor, clothing, and horses, and kindly arrange for his swift return. Previously, I sent Shexie Xianpolo to meet you, but everything that was graciously given to me was seized by the wicked usurpers; I bring this to your attention. I now present a modest gift, hoping you will graciously accept it.
Later, another envoy was sent. Twenty-six years later, Emperor Taizu issued a decree: "The countries of Helodan, Brahmin, and Brahda, who have journeyed from afar across the sea to pay tribute, we must recognize this sincerity and bestow upon them titles and honors!" So envoys were sent to issue decrees to them, stating, "You have journeyed from afar to pay tribute out of your admiration for our benevolence; we have felt this sincerity, therefore, in accordance with our laws, we bestow upon you official titles. You are to obey these commands and diligently fulfill your duties for all time, do you understand?" In the twenty-ninth year, the Grand Historian Brahmin and a novice monk brought tribute.
In the 26th year of the Yuanjia era, the King of the Brahman Kingdom, Shelipolobamo, sent envoys with forty-one tribute items. The Emperor Taizu appointed him as the King of the Brahman Kingdom and issued a decree saying, "You, who are able to govern the border well and bring tribute to the court, the imperial favor is boundless and extends everywhere. Therefore, according to the rules and regulations, I entrust you with this important responsibility. You must uphold the ritual system throughout your tenure, do you understand?" In the 28th year, they presented tribute again. In the third year of the Xiaojian era of the Shizu, they sent the Chancellor Zhunapolozhi to present tribute. Taizu also appointed Zhunapolozhi as the General of Zhenwei. In the third year of Daming, they presented red and white macaws as tribute. In the eighth year of Daming and the second year of Taizong Taishi, they sent envoys to present tribute again. Emperor Taizong appointed their Chancellor Zhuxuluda and the previous General of Zhenwei Zhunapolozhi as the Dragon Cavalry Generals.
In the 26th year of the Yuanjia era, the King of the Poloda Kingdom, Shelibulingqabamo, sent envoys to present tribute. The Emperor Taizu appointed him as the King of the Poloda Kingdom and issued a decree saying, "You, who revere our teachings and come in good faith, our imperial influence has spread far and wide, and even remote areas come to pay tribute. Therefore, I will promote you and commend your loyalty. You must diligently adhere to the laws and regulations and will find happiness throughout your service, do you understand?" In the 26th and 28th years, they sent envoys to present tribute again.
In the 12th year of the Yuanjia era, the King of the Shapopoda Kingdom, Shilipoda, sent envoys to present a memorial.
Great Sovereign of the Song Dynasty, Auspicious Heavenly Emperor: Hello! Wishing you all the best and good health! I have heard that you have subdued the four demons and attained Buddhahood, widely spread the Dharma, guided sentient beings and perfected the teachings, entered Nirvana and disseminated your relics far and wide, built countless stupas, magnificent and unparalleled, grand as Mount Sumeru; the Buddhist scriptures and teachings are widely disseminated, shining like the sun upon the earth; countless pure monks are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Your country boasts vast territories and a multitude of people, with palaces and cities radiant and magnificent, akin to the Trayastrimsa Heaven. You are the illustrious Heavenly Sovereign of the Great Song Dynasty in Yangzhou, reigning in this prosperous era, inheriting the great achievements of the sages, ruling over the four seas, the entire realm of Jambudvipa, where no nation fails to submit to you. We offer this water to benefit all sentient beings; thus, even across the sea, we remain your loyal subjects. We hope you will show compassion for our sincerity and graciously accept our tribute. If you permit, we will send envoys annually, and if you have any needs, we will do everything in our power to meet your needs. We sincerely hope you will trust and accept our intentions without any reservations. We are now dispatching envoys, with Bodhisattva as the chief envoy and Geddi as the deputy, with sincere hearts, to extend our highest respects to you. Bodhisattva will convey all matters to you, hoping you will trust and accept our requests and grant your approval. We now present a few modest gifts to express our sincere respect.
From the Lion Kingdom, in the fifth year of Yuanjia, King Shali Mahan respectfully submits the following memorial:
Respected Great Song Ming Sovereign: Although mountains and seas separate us, we can still keep in touch. We admire your noble morals; your kindness is as boundless as the universe, and your wisdom shines as brightly as the sun and moon. Throughout the world, there is no place that does not bow to you. Kings from various lands have sent envoys to pay tribute, to express their sincere allegiance to you. Some nations even take three years to cross the seas or trek for a thousand days over land to pay tribute. They respect your majesty and admire your grace; no matter how far away, they all come to pay their respects. Since the time of our ancestors, we have grounded our rule in virtue, governing with kindness rather than severity, sincerely offering tribute to the Three Treasures, using our principles to benefit the world, finding joy in helping others and seeing their good deeds as our own. We hope to collaborate with you to promote righteousness and guide those who are hard to teach. Thus, we have entrusted four Taoist priests and sent two white-clad messengers to deliver a tooth relic as a sign of our sincerity. We hope that after the messengers return, you will reply to us. In the twelfth year of the Zhiyuan era, the Kingdom of Shizi sent envoys once more to pay tribute. In the fifth year of Zhiyuan, the Kingdom of Kapiḷa in India, King Yue'ai sent an envoy with the following message: I have heard that your country lies by the river and sea, with rugged mountains and plentiful resources; the land is dignified and pristine, resembling an ideal city. The palaces are magnificent, the streets are broad and well-paved, and the people live in harmony and joy. The king is both wise and valiant; when he travels, subjects from across the globe follow him. He is kind-hearted and compassionate, causing no harm to any living being. All nations come to pay their respects, and the nation is as prosperous as the ocean.
The people of the country all follow the righteous path, the king is benevolent and enlightened, teaching the people through moral guidance, demonstrating compassion and magnanimity. The king diligently upholds the precepts; his virtues have a far-reaching influence, like an exalted vessel of Dharma, rescuing all who are adrift. All civil and military officials live in harmony and satisfaction, safeguarded by celestial beings and attended by myriad deities; even the celestial demons have been subdued and now pay him homage. The king exudes majesty and solemnity, akin to the rising sun; his benevolence and grace envelop the land, like vast clouds. His lineage is filled with sages, like the sun, moon, and stars; this is indeed a remarkably blessed kingdom.
The land I inhabit is known as the Kingdom of Javahar, facing the sea to the east, encircled by walls of purple-hued stone, under the divine protection of celestial deities, so the country has always been stable. The royal lineage has been uninterrupted through the ages; the citizens consistently engage in virtuous acts, and numerous nations come here to seek the righteous path. The Buddha statues within the temples are crafted from precious gems, and the offerings are equally exquisite, all adhering to the edicts of the former kings. I myself have always observed the precepts, not violating any laws; my name is Yue Ai, born into the royal family.
I wholeheartedly wish Your Majesty good health and prosperity in all endeavors, and for the well-being of all ministers and officials. I now present to you my nation's people, mountains, rivers, and treasures, prostrating myself in the deepest respect. Due to the barriers of mountains and seas, I am unable to pay my respects in person; thus, I can only convey my profound reverence through an envoy. The envoy is led by Tianmo Xida, accompanied by Nituda, a loyal and trustworthy individual, which is why he has been chosen to express our sincerity.
If Your Majesty has any needs or rare treasures, we will gladly provide them. Our land is your kingdom, and your decrees are our guiding principles; we will follow your way of governing. We hope that the envoys of both countries will continue to visit each other. After sending your envoy back this time, we also hope that you can send an envoy to our country to convey your decree and inform us of what we should do. We sincerely express our intentions and hope you will not let us down. What I have stated is true, and I earnestly seek Your Majesty's approval.
In the past, small southern countries frequently offered treasures like the Diamond Finger Ring and the Moerjin Ring, and even sent one red parrot and one white parrot. In the second year of the reign of Emperor Taizong Taishi, they sent envoys to pay tribute again and appointed the envoys Zhu Fuda and Zhu Ami as generals, demonstrating the significance placed on these tribute-paying nations.
In the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, the king of Sumali, Nalinara Bammo, sent a substantial tribute. In the second year of Emperor Xiaojian of the Sui Dynasty, the king of Jintuoli, Shibo Luo Nalin Camel, sent his chief historian, Zhuliutuo, to lead a delegation that brought a wealth of gold, silver, and jewels. Later, in the first year of Emperor Hui of the Southern Qi, the country of Poli also dispatched envoys to pay tribute. These countries all believe in Buddhism.
Buddhism began to spread to China during the reign of Emperor Ming of Han. Today, an increasing number of people, from emperors to commoners, embrace Buddhism. Buddhist scriptures and teachings are abundant, their principles profound, and they have developed into a specialized field of study.
In the twelfth year of the Yuanjia reign, Xiao Mozi, the Intendant of Danyang, submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying: "Buddhism has been present in China for four generations. Temples and Buddha statues are everywhere, too numerous to count. Buddhism was originally meant to promote goodness, but recently the situation has changed. Everyone is competing to build new ones to show off, neglecting sincerity. Old temples are left in disrepair without repair. Lavish houses are built one after another, using endless wood, bamboo, copper, and paint, which have no connection to the deities, and instead hinder the livelihood of the people. This violates the court's regulations and needs proper management; otherwise, this corrupt trend will be unstoppable! Therefore, in the future, anyone wishing to cast bronze statues must first report to the court; those who want to build temples or monasteries must first apply to the local officials and wait for approval before starting construction. If built privately, they will be punished for disobeying the decree, and any luxurious temples and gardens will be confiscated!" The emperor agreed with Xiao Mozi's reasoning, so he approved his memorial and dismissed a group of monks and Taoists, several hundred of them. In 458 AD, during the reign of Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, a monk named Tan Biao conspired with a Qiang tribe leader named Gao Sha to plan a rebellion. In response, the emperor issued an edict, stating that Buddhism had become a mix of good and bad; the monks were neglecting their duties. Not only were they failing to help, but they had also become a refuge for vice and corruption, frequently leading to various nefarious incidents, damaging social morals and stirring up public grievances; even the deities could no longer tolerate it! Therefore, Buddhism must be reformed throughout the land, and those monks who violate the regulations must be severely punished! A series of prohibitions were then issued, stating that unless they were genuinely devout and diligently practicing monks, they must return to secular life. However, these prohibitions proved difficult to enforce because the monks and nuns from these temples maintained close ties with the imperial palace and its concubines.
Earlier, Yu Bing from the Eastern Jin Dynasty suggested that monks ought to show respect to the Emperor, and later Huan Xuan also made similar remarks, but they were not implemented. In the year 462 AD, Emperor Taiwu instructed relevant departments to report: Look, those grand palaces and temples, no matter how grandly they are built, are only for displaying dignity; those kneeling and bowing actions are only for showing respect. The purpose is to maintain the order of the country and consolidate the rule of the state. Therefore, regardless of Confucianism, Mohism, or various schools of thought, there exists a tradition of honoring elders and respecting the king. Only Buddhism, which came from the Western Regions, speaks of distant matters in its scriptures and teachings, teaching people to cultivate extraordinary wisdom. However, these teachings can be difficult for ordinary people to grasp, and their purpose and essence have become blurred, even using words to conceal the true meaning. As a result, Buddhists may look down on others and treat the nobility with indifference, losing the essence of Buddhist humility and deviating from the fundamental meaning of education. Buddhism emphasizes humility, frugality, and loyalty. Monks should be respected, bow to Taoists, and honor elders; how can they bow to the emperor while showing disrespect to their parents? Therefore, the proposals of Yu Bing and Huan Xuan in the past failed for various reasons. Now, our country is thriving, and officials are fulfilling their duties, but there are still disrespectful individuals near the imperial palace who dare to behave insolently before the emperor. How can a positive atmosphere be fostered this way? We believe that when monks have an audience with the Emperor, they should demonstrate proper respect and adhere to their traditional etiquette so that the court's dignity can be maintained.
The Emperor's most beloved Concubine Yin died. In her memory, the Emperor built a temple for her named Xin'an Temple, as Concubine Yin's son Ziluan was titled the Prince of Xin'an. Later, the previous Emperor killed Ziluan, ordered the demolition of Xin'an Temple, expelled the monks, and also demolished Zhongxing Temple and Tianbao Temple.
After Emperor Taizong pacified the rebellion, he ordered, "The temples such as Zhongxing Temple and Xin'an Temple built by the late Emperor were meant to be emulated by future generations to promote the culture of the prosperous era. In recent years, the temples suffered destruction, with Buddha statues vandalized and monks scattered due to incompetent and tyrannical rule. This deeply saddens me. The late Emperor's teachings and wisdom are sufficient to uphold the orthodox teachings. Now, the original monks should be called back to their respective temples, and craftsmen should be dispatched to renovate the temples according to the actual situation."
During the Song Dynasty, there was a famous monk named Daosheng from Pengcheng, whose father was the Magistrate of Guangqi County. Daosheng became a monk at a young age and was a disciple of a renowned master. He was exceptionally intelligent, able to expound scriptures and teachings at the age of fifteen. As he grew older, he developed unique insights and established a theory of enlightenment, earning admiration from people of his time. In the eleventh year of the Yuanjia era, he died on Mount Lu, and Monk Huilin wrote a eulogy for him.
Huilin, originally from Qin County, Qin Prefecture, surnamed Liu, became a monk at a young age and resided in Yecheng Temple. He was talented, well-educated, and admired by Prince Yizhen of Luling for his comprehensive knowledge. He also authored a treatise titled "On Equal Goodness," in which he elaborated on his thoughts:
Mr. Bai Xue believes that Chinese sages have benefited future generations with their achievements, being morally upright, wise, and insightful, mastering the laws of the operation of heaven and earth. Their teachings are not obscure or omitted, and how could there be any differing views about their intelligence and wisdom? The critic, Mr. Hei, argues that they do not understand the path of the underworld and cannot guide people into the afterlife. Although they humbly study, they cannot be humble in everything, not as profound as the practitioners from the Western Regions. Then Mr. Bai asked him, where exactly do they fall short?
Mr. Bai asked Mr. Hei: "Is the 'emptiness' described by Buddhism the same as the 'emptiness' described by Taoism?"
Mr. Hei said: "Not the same. Buddhism teaches that 'all things are empty, and emptiness is one with all things', meaning that all things in the world are empty, and emptiness itself is the unity of all things. Taoism talks about two paths of 'existence' and 'non-existence', believing that 'emptiness' and 'existence' are different; how could they possibly be the same?"
Mr. Bai asked again: "Buddhism says that all things are empty; are all things really empty?"
Mr. Hei replied: "Yes. Emptiness itself is also empty, to the utmost degree."
Mr. Bai continued: "There are sun, moon, and stars in the universe, and all things growing in the world; which one is empty?"
Mr. Hei explained: "Emptiness refers to the inherent nature of things being empty, but this does not prevent the existence of things. Just like when building a house, where various materials come together to create tall structures, wood itself is not a house; grains of sand accumulate to form a beach. Everything is temporary; Mount Tai is not eternal and unchanging; the rise and fall, success and failure, are all dictated by fate. Therefore, 'emptiness' refers to the nature of things, not their practical functions; I think Buddhism's understanding of 'emptiness' is wrong."
Mr. Bai asked: "Is the 'true appearance' you mentioned the same as 'emptiness'?"
Mr. Hei replied: "Yes."
Mr. Bai continued: "The changes of all things in the world are in front of us; everyone can see and hear, right? Using this principle to cultivate, and then using this principle to explain various different teachings, I believe this has yet to reach a truly profound level."
Lao Hei said, "Although this principle may seem straightforward, it is actually very difficult to understand. People usually think that important things are all illusory, while the truly important things are real. So, we must abandon false things, get rid of extravagance and hypocrisy, and let go of greed and desires. If you can let go of greed but still cannot cultivate Dao, then I don't know how to explain it."
Lao Bai then gave an example, saying, "We cut down trees, but it doesn't diminish the lushness of the shade; we demolish houses, but it does not affect the beauty of the homes. Recognizing the impermanence of things allows us to appreciate life's brevity; understanding the impermanence of competition can help us let go of the pursuit of fame and fortune. Vibrant silk showcases a rich array of colors, and delicious dishes require various seasonings to bring out good taste. Duke Huan pursued the pleasure of hunting wild birds, while King Yan did not pursue ways to achieve longevity. Perhaps these desires for enjoyment will only make people more entrenched in competition and greed."
Lao Hei said, "These principles are indeed profound and complex; ordinary theories cannot even come close."
Lao Bai continued, "In ancient China, there were many poems about mountains, rivers, grass, trees, and stones, as well as debates on hardness and softness, black and white. These are all full of Chinese culture, but they do not touch the core mystery of Dao, so they cannot be used as the fundamental teaching materials for cultivation. Since you can release your emotions and attachments and approach Dao with an open mind, and analyze problems in practical terms, your understanding is already very thorough."
Lao Hei said: "Both Confucius and Zhou Gong taught teachings in the present life, without addressing the afterlife or karmic retribution. They believed that good deeds benefit only future generations, and committing evil deeds will only result in punishment. The rewards and punishments are limited to this lifetime, and they have no knowledge of the afterlife, which is quite unfortunate. However, Shakyamuni Buddha emphasizes endless spiritual practice to help sentient beings escape from suffering and alleviate mental suffering. His wisdom pervades the universe, and his compassion benefits all beings. He speaks of hell to instill fear of committing crimes, speaks of heaven to make people aspire to happiness, and guides people towards nirvana, enabling them to transcend. His supernatural powers are vast, and his blessings extend to all beings. Past awakened saints soar in the higher realms, and future awakened beings will also ascend, but how can those with narrow vision understand the true essence of the great Dao?"
Lao Bai said: "What you said is indeed lofty, but now we cannot see miracles or verify supernatural powers. Devout practitioners fail to witness the salvation offered by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and diligent learners cannot experience the realm of transcendence. It is said that the Buddha has immeasurable life, but we do not see people with longevity; it is said that the vajra is indestructible, but we also do not see immortal objects. If the teachings do not align with reality, we should trace the original intention of the statements and the thoughts they embody. Rather than pursuing heaven to perform good deeds, it is better to follow righteousness to cultivate the Dao; instead of fearing hell to restrain oneself, it is better to follow reason to cultivate a righteous heart. Worship is to seek forgiveness, not to go through rituals; giving is to accumulate virtue and do good, not for the sake of rewards. Seeking the happiness of nirvana may result in an indulgence in comfort; admiring the wonders of the Dharma body can arouse curiosity. If immediate desires are not eliminated, distant benefits will arise, even if Bodhisattvas are said to have no desires, sentient beings do have desires. If only helping the poor without changing the customs of people pursuing fame and profit, how, then, can one achieve inner peace and return to the great Dao?"
Lao Hei said: "No. If people are not motivated by the benefits of the afterlife, how can they conquer their worldly desires? It is impossible to change people's thoughts all at once, so we must guide them gradually. By giving up short-term benefits in exchange for endless future rewards, just like if you don't put in the effort during spring planting, you won't see a harvest in autumn. If you only sit at the bottom of the well and think little of yourself, you will sink into darkness forever."
Lao Bai said: "Strange! How can our goals be so different? The Taoist philosophy preaches no desires, yet it uses desires to guide, which is like searching for Yingdu by going east and searching for Yueguo by going west, only to be forever lost in dark valleys. How can we see the land of Min and Chu? The term 'gradual progress' should actually refer to a gradual reduction in desires. We should first let go of minor desires, then important desires, allowing our desires to diminish gradually, so that our true nature can naturally emerge. How can we trade a little benefit for a greater one, or exchange shallow methods for profound methods? If we are always driven by benefits, will desires ever end? People only pursue magnificent colors, grand buildings, waste money, squander resources, do useless things, harm the interests of the public, only to satisfy personal desires, pursue power, form factions, use asceticism to gain fame, and use protection to satisfy their vanity; this is truly tragic! How can the Tao find a way to exist and thrive? Therefore, Duke Zhou and Confucius educate the people, only focusing on this life; Laozi and Zhuangzi educate the world, only focusing on human nature."
Lao Hei said: "Confucianism's three teachings and nine schools, the five virtues of robbers, and the teachings of sages all have their limitations. The Taoist spells, witchcraft, etc., are even more deceitful and countless. You praise Confucianism here, criticize Taoism there; it's like splashing around in muddy water while completely missing the clear stream."
Lao Bai said, "Where there are indications, there are inevitably flaws; where there are methods, there is inevitably hypocrisy. This is the dilemma faced by sages. What is worrying now is that people establish rules out of greed, but ultimately form customs. People not only fail to correct these flaws but also take pride in them as virtues. As for those unrestrained individuals, they have always been looked down upon by society, and their origins are not worth discussing."
Lao Hei said, "Are the teachings of Buddhism mainly aimed at the ignorant masses, with no effect on cultured individuals?"
Lao Bai said, "Not necessarily so. If Buddhism is to develop, it should inherit and promote the love for all beings, stop killing, learn from the benevolent governance of the Zhou Dynasty, release the desire for wealth and status, and adopt a mindset of helping others. How should the principles of benevolence, righteousness, and the mysterious be promoted and developed?"
Regarding his writings, an old monk felt that he was disparaging Buddhism and wanted to push him away. However, Emperor Taizu found his writings impressive and rewarded him. During the Yuanjia era, he participated in court politics, and major state affairs were discussed with him. People visiting his home were endless, with dozens of carriages often parked outside, and many gifts from various places. At that time, his influence was immense. He provided annotations for the "Classic of Filial Piety" and "Zhuangzi: Free and Easy Wandering," and also wrote some commentaries that have been passed down.
There are two monks, Huiyan and Huiyi, both practicing at Dong'an Temple. Their knowledge and character are excellent, and they are respected by everyone. At that time, there were many Zen monks at Douchang Temple, and in the capital city, there was a saying: "Douchang is the nest of Zen masters, Dong'an Temple is the place to discuss Buddhist principles." In the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty, during a feast at Zhongxing Temple, a strange monk appeared whom no one recognized. When asked for his name, he said his name was Minghui and that he came from Tian'an Temple, then suddenly disappeared. However, there was no temple known as Tian'an Temple, so they simply renamed Zhongxing Temple as Tian'an Temple. During the reign of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty, there was a foreign monk named Mahayana Buddhism, who practiced asceticism and had great knowledge. He spread many new scriptures in the capital, especially the "Sutra of Queen Srimala," which was particularly esteemed by scholars.
Goguryeo, which is now within the Liaodong Commandery of the Han Dynasty. Goguryeo King Gao Liyan, in the ninth year of Emperor Yixi of the Jin Dynasty, sent the Chief Minister Gao Yi to present a bay horse. Emperor Jin appointed Gao Liyan as Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of the Garrison of Yingzhou, General of the Eastern Expedition, King of Goguryeo, and Duke of Lelang. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he issued a decree saying: "Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of the Garrison of Yingzhou, General of the Eastern Expedition, King of Goguryeo, Duke of Lelang Gao Liyan, and Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of the Garrison of Baekje, General Who Pacifies the East, King of Baekje Ying, you have all demonstrated your loyalty and dedication from afar, coming from afar to pay tribute. At the time of the establishment of the new dynasty, you should be rewarded. Gao Liyan is promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the East, and Ying is promoted to Grand General Who Pacifies the East. Other positions remain unchanged." Three years later, Gao Liyan was appointed as an Imperial Attendant and was also assigned to oversee military affairs in Pingzhou.
In the second year of the Jingping era (AD), King Lian of Goguryeo sent Chancellor Malou and his companions to present gifts in the capital, and also dispatched envoys to extend greetings. The emperor's letter of condolences read: "The emperor greets the envoy with the imperial seal, cavalier attendant, commander of military affairs in Pingzhou and Yingzhou, Grand General of the Eastern Expedition, King of Goguryeo, and Duke of Lelang. You have been fighting in the east, with your ongoing achievements. Your merits have become well-known, and your sincerity is evident. You have traveled far, crossing the Liao River and the Great Sea, to present tribute to the court. I feel unworthy of such virtues and am ashamed to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, constantly recalling their legacy, hoping to continue their blessings. I have dispatched Envoy Zhu Shaobo, Deputy Envoy Wang Shaizi, and others to extend my greetings to you. I hope you will continue to uphold benevolent governance, strengthen your achievements, and honor the legacy of your predecessors, which reflects my own intentions as well."
Earlier on, the Xianbei people Murong Bao occupied Zhongshan, but was defeated by the Suolu and fled to Huanglong. In the early years of the Yixi era, Murong Bao's brother Murong Xi was killed by his subordinate Feng Ba, who then proclaimed himself as the King of Yan because he ruled over Huanglong City, which is why it was known as the Huanglong Kingdom. After Feng Ba's death, his son Murong Hong succeeded to the throne, but was repeatedly attacked by Suolu and could not fend off the assaults. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, Murong Hong sent envoys to pay tribute every year. In the twelfth year of the Yuanjia era, the court even granted him an official position. In the fifteenth year of the Yuanjia era, Murong Hong was once again attacked by Suolu, defeated, and fled to Beifeng City in Goguryeo, asking Goguryeo to take him in. Taizu sent envoys Wang Baiju and Zhao Cixing to meet him, and ordered Goguryeo to take care of his food and lodging. However, King Lian of Goguryeo didn’t want Murong Hong coming south, so he sent generals Sun Shu, Gao Qiu, and others to take him out. Wang Baiju and his men led over seven thousand troops to confront Sun Shu and his group, captured Sun Shu alive, and killed Gao Qiu and others. Since Wang Baiju and his men acted without orders, Lian sent people to escort them to the capital. The emperor, knowing they were from a far-off land, didn’t want to go against their wishes, so after locking up Wang Baiju and his men, he ended up pardoning them.
Every year envoys are sent to pay tribute; it's an old tradition. In the sixteenth year of his reign, the Emperor Taizu wanted to go to war in the north, so he asked the King of Lian to send horses, and he sent a whopping eight hundred all at once! Impressive, right? In the second year of the Xiaojian era, the King of Lian sent the Chief Historian Dong Teng to the court to extend his regards and also brought some gifts to show his appreciation. In the third year of Daming, he sent arrows and stone projectiles crafted by the Sushen people (what are these exactly? Anyway, they're all valuable items). In the seventh year, the emperor praised him in an edict: "Commander in Chief, Imperial Secretariat, Commander of the troops in Pingying, General of the East, King of Goguryeo, Duke of Lelang, Lian, you have shown unwavering loyalty, guarding our overseas borders, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to the court, committed to resolving border issues, maintaining relations with overseas territories, your achievements align with the principles of good governance; you deserve to be rewarded! You are hereby promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and appointed as Household Counselor with equal ceremonial rank; your other titles will remain the same." During the reigns of Emperor Taizong and the subsequent Emperor Feidi, he kept up the tribute without fail.
Baekje, originally located in the same area as Goguryeo, more than a thousand li to the east of Liaodong. Later, Goguryeo occupied Liaodong, and Baekje occupied Liaoxi. The capital of Baekje was called Jinping County. In the twelfth year of Yixi, the court appointed King Yu Ying of Baekje as the commander-in-chief overseeing all military affairs of Baekje, the general of the Eastern Expedition, and the King of Baekje. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he promoted him to the Grand General of the Eastern Expedition. In the second year of Jingping, Yu Ying sent his chief of staff, Zhang Wei, to the court to present tribute. In the second year of the Yuanjia Era, Emperor Taizu issued an edict to him, which said: "The emperor greets the commander-in-chief overseeing all military affairs of Baekje, the general of the Eastern Expedition, and the King of Baekje. Your generations of loyalty in crossing the sea to express your allegiance, inheriting the achievements of your ancestors, and continuing to be loyal to the court, your loyalty and righteousness are well-known, and we have also recognized your sincerity. You have journeyed from afar, crossing the sea to present tribute, so I let you continue to serve as the prince of the eastern border, hoping you will continue to strive and honor the legacy of your ancestors. Now I have sent the attendants Luqiu Enzi and the deputy attendants Ding Jingzi to comfort you and express my intentions." Since then, Baekje sent envoys to present tribute every year. In the seventh year of his reign, King Yu Pi continued to present tribute and inherited Yu Ying's title. In the twenty-seventh year, Yu Pi presented tribute again and privately entrusted the envoy Feng Yefu, the Prefect of Xihe, to request the court to grant him the Book of Changes, the Book of Rites, and a handheld crossbow, which Emperor Taizu granted. After Pi's death, his son Qing inherited the throne. In the first year of Shizu Daming, Qing sent someone to the court to request an official position, which the emperor granted.
Two years later, Qing sent someone to submit a memorial, stating: "Our country has been receiving special grace from the court for generations, and both civil and military officials have been granted titles by the court for generations. The eleven loyal and dedicated ministers, including Champion General Yu Ji, should be promoted and utilized. I respectfully request the emperor's approval to appoint them to official positions together." The memorial then listed the promotions: promoting Yu Ji to a higher rank; promoting Yu Kun and Yu Yun from Expeditionary Generals to higher ranks; promoting Yu Du and Yu Yi from Assistant State Generals to higher ranks; promoting Mu Jin and Yu Jue from Dragon Cavalry Generals to higher ranks; promoting Yu Liu and Mi Gui from Pacification Generals to higher ranks; promoting Yu Xi and Yu Lou from Establishing Martial Generals to higher ranks.
In the seventh year of Emperor Taizong's reign, he sent someone to offer tribute to the court. Japan, located southeast of Goryeo, has always been offering tribute to our country. In the second year of Emperor Gaozu's Yongchu era, he issued an edict saying, "The king of Japan has come from afar to offer tribute; this sincerity is truly rare, and he should be granted an official title."
Then, in the second year of Emperor Taizu's Yuanjia era, the king of Japan sent an official named Cao Da to offer tribute. After this king of Japan passed away, his brother succeeded him and also sent people to offer tribute. He granted himself a grand title, calling himself "Imperial Commissioner, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Forces of Japan, Baekje, Silla, Goguryeo, Gaya, and the six countries, Grand General of the East, King of Japan." He then submitted a formal request to the court to officially grant him a title, and the court conferred upon him the title of Grand General of the East and King of Japan. He also sought to appoint himself and twelve others to the titles of Grand General of the West, Expeditionary General, Champion General, and Assistant State General, to which the court consented.
After twenty years, King Ji of Japan sent envoys again to present tribute, and the court once again appointed him as General of the East (Andong Jiangjun) and King of Wa. Eight years later, the court further promoted him to "Imperial Envoy and Commander of the Military of Wa, Silla, Mimana, Karak, and six other countries," while still retaining his position as General of the East. He also recommended twenty-three people, who were also granted official titles by the court. After King Ji passed away, his son Xing succeeded him and also sent envoys to present tribute.
In the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Shizu of the Ming Dynasty, the court issued an edict saying, "Prince Xing, King of Japan, your family has been loyal for generations, serving as vassals overseas, abiding by the rules, and consistently paying tribute. Now that he has ascended to the throne, he should be granted an official title, so let him be appointed as General of the East (Andong Jiangjun) and King of Wa!" After King Xing passed away, his brother Wu succeeded him and self-proclaimed as "Imperial Envoy and Commander of the Military of Wa, Baekje, Silla, Mimana, Karak, Mohe, and seven other countries, Grand General of the East, King of Wa."
In the year 458 AD, our emperor dispatched a messenger to the court to report: "Our country, situated in a remote region, has long been a vassal state. For generations, our ancestors have been donning armor and helmets, traversing mountains and valleys, and have not had a peaceful day. We have defeated fifty-five countries to the east, conquered sixty-six countries to the west, and crossed the sea to subdue ninety-five countries to the north. The royal way can flourish, and our territory has expanded so far. Throughout the generations, we have paid tribute to the court every year without fail. Although I am foolish, I have inherited the foundation of my ancestors and led my soldiers with the intention of being loyal to the court. However, on the way to Baekje, as we were preparing our ships, the country of Silla acted unreasonably, wanting to swallow us, and constantly raided our borders, causing continuous disturbances and damaging our good name. Although we aim to move forward, it is uncertain whether we will arrive smoothly. My father, Ji, particularly hated these bandits, blocking our path to the court. He had a million strong army under him, and everyone was moved by his righteous actions, preparing for a major attack. However, he and his brothers suddenly passed away, just when success seemed near, leading to failure. At that time, overwhelmed by grief, I dared not act rashly, so I remained idle, unable to seek vengeance. Even now, I still want to organize the army to fulfill my father and brothers' wishes. Those ambitious soldiers, civil and military officials are willing to help, even if it means risking their lives. If we could receive your grace, Emperor, to help us defeat this formidable enemy, stabilize this chaos, and not squander the achievements of our ancestors, it would be ideal. I humbly request your appointment as General of the Guards and ask for other officials to be appointed accordingly, to encourage their loyalty and sense of duty." The Emperor responded with a decree, appointing him as the Military Envoy, Commander-in-Chief of the armies of Wo, Silla, Mimana, Kara, Qin, Han, and Muhan, Grand General of the East, and King of Wo.
The tribes of Jingzhou and Yongzhou are said to be descendants of the Panhu. They are scattered across different counties. Jingzhou established the position of Nanman Colonel, while Yongzhou established the position of Ningman Colonel to govern them. In the early days of Emperor Wu's reign, the position of Nanman Colonel was abolished and came directly under the imperial court's authority, but the position of Ningman Colonel was retained. Obedient barbarian families were only required to pay a few dou of grain, with no other taxes or corvée, while Han people faced heavy taxes and corvée. The poor cannot cope with it, leading many to escape to the barbarian areas to avoid it. The barbarians are exempt from corvée, and able-bodied men don’t have to pay taxes. They often band together in groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or thousands. The military forces in the states and counties are weak, so they frequently rebel and turn to banditry, with their numbers being uncountable.
The areas where the barbarians reside are mostly treacherous. For instance, in Wuling County, in the five valleys of Xiongxi, Xiaoxi, Chenxi, Youxi, and Wuxi, live the so-called "Five Creek Tribes." The barbarians in Yidu, Tianmen, Badong, Jianping, and Jiangbei counties dwell in deep mountains and ancient forests, with isolated access and few signs of human presence. They have been a scourge to the people since ancient times.
In the second year of the Jingping era, the barbarian leader from Yidu, Shi Ning, along with 112 others, totaling 113 people, came to the capital to offer tribute. In the sixth year of Yuanjia, the barbarians from Jianping, led by Zhang Yong, numbering 50, came to the capital to pay respects to the emperor; in the seventh year, the Yidu barbarians, led by Tian Sheng, also numbering 113, came to the capital to pay respects to the emperor. Later, the barbarians in the Mian River basin launched a large-scale rebellion, nearly obstructing all travel. The village head of Xiangzhong Township in Tianmen County, Zong Qiaozhi, couldn't endure the heavy tax burdens imposed on them by the barbarians. In the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, the barbarians, led by Tian Xiangqiu, revolted, stormed Xiangzhong Township, and plundered its residents. The Governor of Jingzhou, Prince Yiji of Hengyang, dispatched troops led by Sun Nian to confront them, defeated them, captured over 500 prisoners, and dismissed Zong Qiaozhi from his post. In the twenty-fourth year of Yuanjia, the barbarians in Linju County and Dangyang County in Nanchuan revolted and kidnapped Fu Sengji, the magistrate of Linju County. The Governor of Jingzhou, Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao, sent Wang Chen, a mid-ranking military officer, to launch an attack, and they were similarly defeated.
First of all, the Governor of Yongzhou, Liu Daochan, was quite skilled at managing the barbarians. Those barbarians who used to be unruly eventually became obedient and relocated to the plains near the Han River under his rule. However, the barbarians revolted once more following Liu Daochan's death. Later, Emperor Wu (referring to Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan) became the Governor of Yongzhou, and the barbarians obstructed the roads, but were soundly defeated by Emperor Wu in a major battle. The court subsequently dispatched General Shen Qingzhi to campaign against the barbarians for several years, and everywhere he went, he pacified the area, as noted in "The Biography of Shen Qingzhi." In the twenty-eighth year of the Taikang era of Emperor Wu, the barbarians from the Longshan and Zhishui regions launched an attack on Nieyang County. The Prefect of Nanyang, Zhu Tanshao, sent troops to fight, but lost with over three hundred casualties. Zhu Tanshao subsequently dispatched two thousand troops to pursue them, forcing the barbarians to scatter and flee. That year, the barbarians in the Zhishui area exploited the difficult terrain to create chaos. The Governor of Yongzhou sent envoys to urge them to surrender, emphasizing that the court's benevolence reached even the border regions. Those who complied with the court would be rewarded, while those who defied it would face consequences. The barbarian leader, Lü Nuzi, had long been a source of trouble along the border. When Lü Gui was in Changshe, Lü Nuzi pledged allegiance to him, and Lü Gui recommended him to the Xiongnu chief, who appointed him as the King of the Four Mountains. When Lü Shuang returned to his country, Lü Nuzi also requested to submit to the court. Following this, the Governor sent troops to subdue the barbarians in the northern region of the Mian River, capturing three strongholds and besieging two others. The barbarians fought desperately, but were overwhelmed by the well-equipped cavalry of the imperial forces, resulting in the beheading of two hundred and the capture of over a thousand barbarians, along with eighty cattle and horses.
During the reign of Emperor Jinwu of the Great Ming Dynasty, Xiang Guanghou, the leader of the Jianping tribe, caused unrest in the Xiachuan region. Wang Ji, the Prefect of Ba Dong, and Zhu Xiuzhi, the Inspector of Jingzhou, sent troops to suppress him. Xiang Guanghou fled to Qingjiang, over a thousand miles from Ba Dong. At that time, the barbarians from Ba Dong, Jianping, Yidu, and Tianmen were all rebelling, resulting in the people of each county fleeing and suffering great losses. During the reigns of Emperor Tai Zong and Emperor Shun of Jinwu, the situation became particularly dire. Despite multiple military campaigns launched by the court to quell the rebellions, they were ultimately unable to stop them, which ultimately led to Jingzhou becoming desolate and in decline.
During the Great Ming period, the Guiyang barbarians revolted, killing Yan Zhenzhi, the magistrate of Lixian; the barbarians of Linhe rebelled and killed the magistrate of Guanjian County, Xing Boer. General Xiao Chongzhi of Zhenwu was dispatched to suppress them, but faced heavy losses and was ultimately held accountable.
It is said that the Yuzhou barbarians are descendants of the Linjun clan. The tales of Pan Hu and Linjun are documented in historical texts. In the Xiyang area, five rivers flow through the region: Ba River, Qi River, Xi River, Chiting River, and Xigui River, which is why the locals refer to them as the "Five Rivers Barbarians." They inhabit high mountains and dangerous terrain, with numerous tribes that have a long history of banditry. Their territory stretches north to the Huai River and Ru River, and southward to the Yangtze River and Han River, covering thousands of miles.
In the year 451 AD (the 28th year of the Song Yuanjia era), County Magistrate Liu Tai of Nanchuan was murdered by the Xiyang tribes, along with his entire family. By the year 452 AD (the 29th year of the Yuanjia era), over two thousand barbarians from Xinchai breached the defenses of Dalaishu, stole the boats belonging to officials and civilians, and rowed them into the lake. At that time, there was a fugitive named Sima Heishi, who blended in with the barbarians and joined them as a bandit. Song Emperor Xiaowu then sent Prince and Infantry Colonel Shen Qingzhi to lead the armies of Jiangzhou, Jingzhou, Yongzhou, and Yuzhou to suppress them. Later, in the fourth year of the Song Ming Emperor (460 AD), Shen Qingzhi was sent to suppress the Xiyang tribes and secured a decisive victory. Sima Heishi was accompanied by three accomplices: one named Zhi, whom Heishi called "Taigong," with Zhi as his strategist; one named Anyang, who called himself the King of Qiao; and another named Xuzhi, who called himself the King of Liang. Subsequently, the barbarian leader Xiao Luo and others captured Xuzhi, but the glory was claimed by the barbarian leader Shicai, which infuriated Xiao Luo and his followers, leading them to kill Shicai and his family of six. The Governor of Yuzhou, Wang Xuanmo, sent General Guo Yuanfeng to negotiate with the various tribes and have them bring in the fugitives. The barbarians delivered Zhi (Sima Heishi) and Anyang to Wang Xuanmo. The Song Ming Emperor ordered their execution in Shouyang.
When Emperor Taizong of Song had just ascended the throne, rebellions erupted across the country. After the southern bandits were defeated at Quewei, the Xiyang tribes Tian Yizhi, Tian Yizhi, Cheng Xiecai, Tian Guangxing, and others launched another assault on Yingzhou and successfully captured it. Emperor Taizong appointed Tian Yizhi as the Assistant General, responsible for military operations in the Four Mountains region; he also established Song'an County and Guangcheng County in the barbarian territory, appointing Tian Yizhi as the Prefect of Song'an, and Tian Guangxing as the Dragon Cavalry General and Prefect of Guangcheng. Tian Yizhi was also titled the King of Biancheng County, with a fief comprising 411 households; Cheng Xiecai was titled the King of Yangcheng County, with a fief of three thousand households. Tian Yizhi was subsequently promoted to the rank of Hu Ben Zhonglang General, while retaining his position as a general.
During the early reign of Emperor Shun, he was first promoted to the position of Chief Archer and later appointed as the Champion General. After his father Cheng Xiecai passed away, his son Po Si inherited the title and became the Assistant General and Cavalry Commander. At the same time, Mei Shi, the leader of the Jinxi tribes, rebelled and killed the Jinxi Prefect Yan Zhanzhi and the signatory Shen Guangzu of Prince Zixun of Jin'an. He was granted the title of Marquis of Gaoshan and received thirty households in the villages of Niugang and Xiachai as his fiefdom.
Speaking of it, during the Han Dynasty, transportation in the Western Regions was quite developed. The roads had to pass through numerous checkpoints, cross towering mountains, and traverse treacherous mountain paths, which made travel extremely dangerous. By the time of the Jin Dynasty, after the migration to the south, the area around the Yellow River and Longshan was cut off, and the roads were blocked by the Rong and Di tribes, almost severing the connection with the Western Regions. Countries like Daqin and Tianzhu, located far beyond the Western Sea, found it very difficult to interact during the Han Dynasty, and trade was even more difficult. Sometimes, goods had to pass through Jiaozhi, cross the sea, and rely on wind power to reach their destination. The terrain of the Western Regions was rugged and complex, with numerous ethnic groups, diverse names, and a wide variety of goods. Countless rare and exotic treasures were continuously transported from there, all of which were treasures that the emperors of the time coveted. Therefore, there was a constant flow of ships and frequent merchant exchanges. As the southern tribute could not be delivered, Emperor Taizu sent troops on an expedition and won a significant victory at Quanpu, which struck fear across the seas. Many treasures filled the national treasury.
Since ancient times, the Four Barbarians have been very powerful, causing significant harm. There are many ethnic groups, including the Man and Bai tribes, each with their own diversity. They live by the mountains and rivers, gathering in border areas very close to the Central Plains, which makes it easy for them to rebel, plunder resources, and seize land. Over time, the situation worsened. Beginning in the Yuanjia era, rebellions increased, even controlling several provinces and destabilizing the nation. Therefore, the court dispatched troops to suppress them, scouring the mountains far and wide and capturing millions of prisoners, including children and the elderly. To vent their anger, the soldiers executed many captives, and the war was brutal and devastating. While the grievances were longstanding, the retaliation was excessively brutal. As Zhang Huan once remarked, "Bloodshed in the wild leads to disaster." These are indeed the words of a wise man!
Achai is both Tuyuhun and Liaodong Xianbei. His father was called Yiluo Han, who had two sons: the elder son was Tuyuhun, and the younger son was Ruoluo Hui. Later, Ruoluo Hui established the Murong clan, Tuyuhun was born out of wedlock, while Ruoluo Hui was the legitimate son. When his father was alive, he allocated seven hundred households to Tuyuhun. Both the Tuyuhun and Ruoluo Hui families were grazing their horses, and the horses got into fights and injured one another. Ruoluo Hui became angry and sent a messenger to Tuyuhun to say, "Our father divided the family property. You brothers have different territories for grazing horses. Why don't you stay away and prevent the horses from fighting and hurting each other?" Tuyuhun said, "Horses are livestock; they eat grass and drink water. When spring comes, they are more likely to fight. What does it matter to us if the horses fight? Separating them is easy. I’ll take the horses and move far away from you!" Then he took the horses and went west, walking eighty li a day. After walking for a few days, Ruoluo Hui regretted it, felt really guilty, and sent the old man and the former Changshi Yinanlou to chase Tuyuhun and ask him to return. Tuyuhun said, "Our ancestors have been rooted in the Liaodong region for generations, and the fortune will be passed on to future generations at the same time. I was born out of wedlock; I am not qualified to be as strong as him. Now we are separated because of the horses fighting; maybe this is fate. Try to drive the horses back to the east; if the horses are willing to head east, I’ll come back with them." Yinanlou knelt down happily and said, "Kehan, please come back!" "Kehan" is Xianbei language, equivalent to "adult" or "you" in Chinese. So, Yinanlou, along with two thousand cavalry, drove the horses back to the east. Before they had walked three hundred steps, the horses suddenly neighed and ran westward, sounding like a mountain collapse. This happened over and over again, more than ten times, and the horses ran farther and farther. Yinanlou had no choice but to kneel again and say, "Kehan, this is beyond human control."
The Tuyuhun people told his tribe, "My descendants and my brother's descendants will flourish and thrive. If Luohui's descendants reach their great-great-grandchildren, probably over a hundred years, they will not prosper until the time of my great-great-grandchildren." So he took his people west to the foot of the Yin Mountains. When he encountered the turmoil of the Jin Dynasty, he made his way to the Shanglong area. Later, Luohui longed for Tuyuhun and wrote a song called "The Song of Agan." The Xianbei referred to their elder brother as "Agan." Luohui's descendants secretly performed this song as court music.
Speaking of Hun, he traveled north from Longshan to Hankai and Xiling. Xiling is present-day Xiping County, and Hankai is present-day Fuhang County. From Fuhang to the east for over a thousand miles, he arrived in Gansong, west to Henan, and south to Angcheng and Longhe. Traveling southwest from the Tao River, all the way to Bailan, several thousand miles away, they followed the water and grass to migrate, living in tents, eating meat and dairy products. The mixed tribes in the northwest referred to them as Achairu.
Hun lived to be seventy-two years old and had sixty sons. The eldest son, Tuyan, inherited his position. Tuyan was seven feet eight inches tall, especially brave and strong, but very hot-tempered. He was later assassinated by Jiang Cong, the leader of the Angcheng Qiang tribe. With the sword still embedded in his body, he called his son Yeyan and his general Jue Bawo and said, "I'm not going to make it. After you have me laid to rest, hurry to set up camp in Bailan. Bailan is far away, and the locals are weak and easily manageable. Yeyan is still young, and I'm afraid that if I hand over the position to someone else, they won't be able to manage the situation effectively. Now I entrust Yeyan to you; you must assist him with all your heart and effort, let him succeed smoothly, and I will die without any regrets!" After speaking, he committed suicide with a sword. Tuyan led for thirteen years and died at thirty-five, leaving behind twelve sons.
Ye Yan has been brave and decisive since he was a child. At the age of ten, he made a straw figure of his enemy Jiang Cong and shot it with a bow and arrow every morning. If he hit it, he felt happy; if he missed, he cried loudly. His mother said, "All the enemy generals have been killed; you are still young. Why do you torture yourself like this every day?" Ye Yan cried even harder, sobbing, "I know this is useless, but I feel so distressed; I can't control this pain." Ye Yan was especially filial. When his mother fell ill, he went without food or water for three days and nights. He also liked to read books. He said his great-grandfather was Yi Luo Han, who was titled Changli Duke, and he said, "I am a descendant of the Gong Sun clan. According to traditional customs, the descendants of Gong Sun can use the father's name as their surname." Thus, he changed his surname to Tuyuhun. Ye Yan was a leader for twenty-three years; he died at the age of thirty-three, leaving behind four sons.
Sui Xi became the eldest; he was upright and cautious. But his third brother was a domineering figure; Sui Xi couldn't control him, and he was eventually killed by the combined efforts of the generals. Sui Xi was deeply saddened by this; he became disinterested in political affairs, so he appointed his son Si Lian as the crown prince, entrusted all matters to him, and nicknamed him "Mo He Lang." "Mo He" means "father" in the Song Dynasty language. Sui Xi later succumbed to melancholy; he ruled for twenty-five years and died at the age of forty-one, leaving behind six sons.
His son Shi Lian was deeply grieved by his father's death, refusing to drink or engage in any entertainment all day long. He led the family for fifteen years before passing away at the age of forty-two. He left behind two sons, the elder, Shi Pi, and the younger, Wu He Ti. Shi Pi led the family for eleven years and also died at the age of forty-two; since his sons, Shu Luo and Gan, were still young, his younger brother Wu He Ti succeeded him. Wu He Ti served as the head of the family for eight years before dying at thirty-five. After that, Shi Pi's son Shu Luo Gan succeeded him, taking the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry during the Yongxi era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
After Shu Luo Gan's death, his brother A Chai claimed the title of General of Cavalry. At that time, Qiao Zong was causing trouble in the Shu region, and A Chai sent his nephew, Xi Qiang Gong Tuyuhun Chi, to lead troops against Longhe and Pingkang. During the reign of the Eastern Jin Emperor Jingping, A Chai also sent envoys to pay tribute and submit memorials to the court. The court issued a decree stating, "The Tuyuhun A Chai is far away on the border; responding to the court's call is truly commendable, and he should be entrusted with important responsibilities. He was rewarded and appointed as the Supervisor of Frontier Forces, General of the Pacification of the West, Inspector of Sha Prefecture, and Duke of Jiaohe." Before the formal appointment could be finalized, in the third year of the Yuanjia era of the Eastern Jin, the court issued another decree to promote him. However, before the decree could reach him, A Chai passed away, and his brother Mu Gui took over.
Six years later, Mu Gui submitted a memorial to the court, saying: "The Great Song Dynasty was established in accordance with the mandate of heaven, unifying the world. My brother, A Chai, admired the Heavenly Dynasty and maintained friendly relations. On the fifth day of the seventh month last year, the court's envoy Dong Zhan came to read the imperial edict, granting my brother a title. Unfortunately, my brother passed away. I have limited abilities, yet I have taken on this heavy responsibility. I feel immense pressure, but the grace of the court has already reached our family. If I were to decline, it could lead the court to doubt our sincerity. Therefore, I have accepted the court's appointment, following the imperial edict, and respectfully request the court to carefully consider and issue the formal appointment letter." Seven years later, the court issued a decree: "The Tuyuhun brothers Mu Gui and A Chai admire the court, demonstrating their rare sincerity, which is commendable. They should be granted titles to commend their loyalty. Appoint them as Inspector of the Frontier Troops, General Who Conquers the West, Governor of Shazhou, and Duke of Longxi."
It is said that during the end of the Jin Dynasty, there was a member of the Hu ethnic group named Qifu Gangui in Dongyun County of Jincheng Commandery. He raised a force and occupied the regions around the Tao River and Hankai, declaring himself Duke of Longxi. After Gangui passed away, his son Qifu Chipan took over and sent envoys to the Jin Dynasty to show submission. The Jin Dynasty appointed him as Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of the Western River Armies, and General Who Pacifies the West, retaining his previous titles. Later, when the founding emperor ascended the throne, he promoted him to Grand General of Anxi. After Qifu Chipan's death, his son Qifu Maoman succeeded him.
Mu Gui led his troops several times to attack Qifu Maoman, which allowed Mu Gui to seize their territory. At that time, Helian Ding was being defeated by Tuoba Tao of Northern Wei in Chang'an, so he fled west with over a hundred thousand people from Qin to Hankai, seeking refuge in Liangzhou. Mu Gui intercepted them, decisively defeating and capturing Helian Ding. Tuoba Tao sent someone to retrieve Helian Ding, and Mu Gui handed him over. Nine years later, Mu Gui sent Sima Zhaoxu to pay tribute, reporting their victory and the capture of twenty thousand enemies. The emperor then promoted him to higher ranks, appointing him as a governor, an advisor, and the commander of military affairs across three provinces, and ultimately to the title of King of Longxi.
His younger brother Mu Yan was appointed General of the East, Mu Gui's nephew Shi Yin was appointed General of the North, and Helian Bo's son, Helian Wei, was appointed General of the Garrison. The emperor also ordered Mu Gui to identify and settle the families of soldiers who had died in previous battles. Mu Gui later returned Zhu Xin and others, totaling fifty-five households and one hundred fifty-four individuals.
Mu Gui passed away, his younger sibling Mu Yan succeeded him, and sent messengers to the imperial court. In the fifteenth year, the court appointed Mu Yan as the Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, Commander of military affairs in the three provinces of Xi Qin, He Sha, and Sha, General Who Conquers the West, Protector of the Qiang Cavalry, Governor of Xi Qin and He, and Prince of Longxi. In the sixteenth year, he was granted the title of King of Henan. In the same year, the court also appointed Shi Yin, the younger brother of Shi Qian, as General Who Pacifies the West, Mu Yan's eldest son, Fan Ni, as General Who Pacifies the Army, and Mu Yan's legitimate son, Xiu, as Left General and Crown Prince of Henan. In the nineteenth year, the court posthumously honored A Chai with the title of Prince, posthumously appointing him as Commander of military affairs in Anxi, Qin Sha, and Sha, Governor of Sha, Protector of the Qiang Cavalry, and Prince of Longxi.
Later, Tuoba Tao sent troops to attack Mu Yan, resulting in a significant defeat for Mu Yan. Mu Yan and his tribe fled westward to Bailan and even captured the country of Yutian. Worried that Tuoba Tao's army might attack again, in the twenty-seventh year, Mu Yan sent envoys to the imperial court saying, "If we cannot defend ourselves, we want to take our followers into Longhe and Yue Xiu." He also offered some items and requested assistance from the imperial court, saying, "We request horses to pull our carts, including Wuman hats, gold wine vessels from the Women's Kingdom, and Hu king gold bracelets." Emperor Taizu rewarded him with horses to pull his carts and promised that if the enemy attacked and he was unable to defend, he would be allowed to enter Yue Xiu. Ultimately, the enemy never arrived.
After Mu Yan's death, Shi Yin declared himself king. In the twenty-ninth year, the court appointed Shi Yin as Commissioner, Commander of the military affairs of the three states of Xi Qinhe Sha, General of Anxi, Commander of the Qiang Protectorate, Governor of the two provinces of Xi Qinhe, and Prince of Henan. Shi Yin also defeated the army of Tuoba Tao, and as a result, the court granted him the title of Chancellor of the Palace of Equal Rank. In the fifth year of Emperor Shizong's reign in the Great Ming Dynasty, Shi Yin sent envoys to present horses skilled in dancing and four-horned sheep. The Crown Prince, princes, and officials all wrote a "Dance Horse Song" in response, totaling twenty-seven songs. In the third year of the reign of Emperor Taizong, Shi Yin was promoted to Grand General of the West. Five years later, Shi Yin offered various treasures and appointed his brother, Shi Pi, as General of Pingxi and Duke of Jincheng. The former Emperor further promoted him to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry.
In the western part of their country, there is a vast desert that stretches one hundred and twenty miles north to south and seventy miles east to west, where nothing grows. This is how Shazhou got its name. There are salt ponds in Quzhen River, and to the north of Ganggu Ridge, there are burrows where sparrows and rats coexist. Some are on the mountains, some are on the plains. The sparrows are white while the rats are yellow, and yellow and purple flowers bloom in the areas where the sparrows and rats burrow. Bailan is rich in gold, copper, and iron. Although they often migrate in search of water and pasture, they primarily live near Muhe River.
Historians note that the Tuyuhun people migrate in search of water and pasture, inhabiting border regions with significant strength. They eat meat, wear fur clothing, and depend on herding and farming for their livelihood, but they also like silk and satin, which are considered rare in their region. As a result, they trade with us, and the court extends the same respect to them as it does to the northern ethnic minorities regarding etiquette.
In the past, those wise emperors promoted the pacification of remote regions, but because the Tuyuhun region was remote and transportation was inconvenient, the court’s ceremonial practices could not be fully enforced there. At most, they would grant a title, as recorded in the "Spring and Autumn Annals." The Jin and Song dynasties followed this practice, not adhering to ancient customs, but instead elevating their titles to the highest rank, comparable to that of Taiguang (an official title). They kept their braids when coming to pay respects, showing no interest in wearing crowns; with no common language, the court was also disinclined to assign them formal positions. Although they would offer some tributes each year, the primary reason for their visits was trade. The gold, silk, and woolen blankets they offered as tribute were not especially needed by us. The back-and-forth exchanges were a waste of resources and money; it would be better if they just stayed away! If the Xiongnu and Yueshang were to come for tribute every year, they wouldn’t be recorded using the same standards; they would have to be viewed differently and learn from the successful practices of previous dynasties. The sages called them "barbarians," and that makes a lot of sense.
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